Nathan Derek McGinn, 32, of Brownwood, Texas, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to one count of receiving child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas. He faces a maximum sentence of not less than five years or more than 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Judge Cummings ordered a presentence investigation report with a sentencing date to be set after the completion of that report. McGinn remains in federal custody.

According to documents filed in the case, McGinn used his computer, which was connected to the Internet, to access music and various forms of pornography through the use of file-sharing software. Specifically, McGinn used the software to collect and share hundreds of images of child pornography.

This matter was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/txn/PressRelease/2012/NOV2012/www.usdoj.gov/psc .  For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/txn/PressRelease/2012/NOV2012/www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Sucsy is in charge of the prosecution.