Latest Legal News from the Federal Criminal Courts in the United States

April 3, 2007

FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTS FIREMAN FOR PRODUCTION AND POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

(BROWNSVILLE, TX) A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging John Craig Zimmerman, 50, of Los Fresnos, TX with four counts of possession and production of child pornography, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.

The indictment, returned on Tuesday, April 3, 2007, charges Zimmerman with two counts of producing child pornography by using or enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. If convicted, Zimmerman faces at least ten years and up to twenty years imprisonment for each count of production of child pornography. The indictment also charges Zimmerman with one count of receipt of child pornography via the internet and one count of possession of child pornography. Receiving child pornography carries a punishment, upon conviction, of at least five years with up to twenty years imprisonment. The possession of child pornography charge carries a punishment of up to ten years imprisonment. Each of the four counts also carry a maximum fine of $250,000.

According to allegations in a federal criminal complaint filed earlier this week, the investigation leading to the charges began with an anonymous tip that Zimmerman had images of child pornography on his work and home computers. The Brownsville Fire Department, where Zimmerman works, allowed Brownsville Police investigators access to the computer Zimmerman used. After finding a number of images containing child pornography, BPD investigators contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for assistance. A federal search warrant of Zimmerman’s house on FM 1575 in Los Fresnos, uncovered DVDs and computer disks containing additional images of child pornography.

Two of the minor children allegedly photographed by Zimmerman and depicted in pornographic images have been located by BPD and ICE investigators.

This case was investigated by the Brownsville Police Department, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and originally charged by the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office. Upon Zimmerman’s arrest on Monday, April 2, 2007, on a federal warrant, the state charges were dismissed. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terra Bay.