Scott Hatfield - Indicted Child Porn - Project Safe Childhood

A Pendleton man has been indicted on charges of possessing child pornography, according to a news release from Timothy M. Morrison, acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.

Scott Hatfield, 31, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Indianapolis for possessing child pornography, following an investigation by the Indiana State Police and Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a part of the Project Safe Childhood Initiative.

The indictment alleges that on March 19, 2007, Hatfield possessed 58 computer video files containing child pornography images. Of those 58, the indictment lists 12 specifically by name which have graphic names that suggest the images are of young children and would be attractive to those with a sexual interest in children.

According to Assistant U. S. Attorney Gayle L. Helart, who is prosecuting the case for the government, Hatfield faces a maximum possible prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum possible fine of $250,000. An initial hearing will be scheduled before a U.S. magistrate judge in Indianapolis.

The case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Project Safe Childhood initiative was created to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s 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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.