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

May 9, 2007

Child Pornographers Investigated by Cyber Crimes Unit Receive Tough Prison Sentences

Former soldier, high tech worker found guilty on child pornography charges

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit continued its aggressive crackdown on child pornographers Friday, when a former Fort Benning soldier was sentenced to 40 years in state prison and an Austin-area technology executive was sentenced to nine years in federal prison, both on child pornography charges.

A Montgomery County jury returned a guilty verdict against Michael Ray Peterson-Lisembee, 23, of Magnolia, who was charged with possessing and promoting child pornography. Peterson-Lisembee received 20-year sentences on each of two counts of promotion and five-year sentences on each of 12 counts of possession. The possession charges will run concurrently with the two stacked 20-year terms. Upon release, he will be required to register as a sex offender for life. Assistant Attorney General Sarah Wannarka prosecuted the case.

Also on Friday, an Austin federal court formally sentenced Christopher Chalberg, 33, of Burnet, after a jury returned a guilty verdict on three counts of child pornography possession. Upon release, Chalberg will be required to register as a sex offender for life and submit to 10 years of supervision by authorities. Assistant Attorney General Grant Sparks prosecuted the case in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“Texans will not tolerate criminals who prey upon our children,” Attorney General Abbott said. “The Cyber Crimes Unit will continue to protect young Texans by aggressively cracking down on child pornographers and sex predators. We are grateful to U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton and Montgomery County District Attorney Michael A. McDougal for their assistance with these cases and their commitment to Texas children.”

Cyber Crimes Unit investigators executed a search warrant at Peterson-Lisembee’s Houston-area home in March 2006 after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicated he was sending e-mail containing sexually explicit images of children. A forensic examination of his computer revealed more than 600 child pornography images and numerous images of bestiality. During the course of the investigation, Peterson-Lisembee was living in Fort Benning, Ga., where he received basic training as an enlisted soldier in the U.S. Army.

After receiving a referral from a local high tech company where Chalberg worked as a human resources executive, the Cyber Crimes Unit launched an investigation and examined Chalburg’s computer. Forensic analysis revealed sexually explicit images and more than 30 videos of children being sexually assaulted. Cyber Crimes Unit investigators also determined that Chalberg was the subject of a pending Williamson County child pornography investigation. In 2003, Chalberg was suspected of purchasing online access to child pornography with his credit card. Chalberg consented to a search of his home computer, which revealed videos of children being sexually assaulted.