The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the United States Marshals Service for the Middle District of Pennsylvania jointly announced that a Harrisburg man who failed to appear for sentencing on child pornography charges was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service on Monday, August 29, 2011.
According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, in November 2007, the Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division was referred a child pornography case based upon a cyber-tip from Photobucket, Inc. that a person, who was later identified as Michael Brown, age 66, was uploading images of children who appeared to be minors exposing their genitals while in sexual acts or poses.
A search warrant was executed at Brown’s residence. During the search, a computer hard drive was seized and a forensic examination of the hard drive was performed. An FBI review of all the image and video files found that at least 744 images were child pornography. Of those, at least six images depicted penetration of a minor child.
Brown was indicted on December 9, 2009 on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography and pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography on July 23, 2010.
Brown was scheduled for sentencing on July 21, 2011 before United States District Court Judge John E. Jones, III. Brown who had been released on a $50,000 unsecured appearance bond with pretrial services supervision following his arrest in 2009, including home confinement and electronic monitoring, failed to appear for sentencing, leaving a note that stated he was going on a long vacation that would end with his suicide. Based upon his failure to appear for sentencing a warrant was issued for his arrest.
The U.S. Marshals Service for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg office, investigated the whereabouts of Brown, determining that the fugitive traveled throughout the United States in no discernible pattern. On Monday, August 22, 2011, Brown contacted an associate in Harrisburg and indicated that he wanted to return to Pennsylvania to say good-bye to loved ones. On Monday, August 29, 2001, Deputy Marshals arrested Brown without incident in the 500 block of South 29 Street, Harrisburg as he tried to meet with an associate.
Acting United States Marshal Martin J. Pane stated, “Cases which involve the exploitation and abuse of children are given the highest priority. Individuals who fail to appear for federal court proceedings show their total disregard for the criminal justice system. They must be brought to justice.”
Brown is currently in custody pending his sentencing on September 2, 2011. He remains under investigation for his failure to appear.
The case related to the original child pornography charges was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division and the Delaware County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The U.S. Marshals Service for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg office, handled the fugitive investigation and apprehension of Brown. Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom is prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov
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