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

April 10, 2007

EAGLE PASS MAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON IN PROJECT SAFE CHILDHOOD CASE

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced today that 64-year-old Clifford Bendler of Eagle Pass, Texas, was sentenced this morning to 108 months in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release for possession of child pornography.

On March 7, 2005, agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a search warrant at Bendler’s residence. During the search, agents seized computer hard drives and disks which contained downloaded images of child pornography. Agents also recovered 20 computer-printed images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. On February 13, 2006, Bendler pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.

This case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Dimmit Count Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Brady.

Launched in February 2006, Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.