FORMER PARK CITY MINISTER PLEADS GUILTY TO POSSESSION AND DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – David E. Meadows, 52, of Park City, Ky., pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney David L. Huber of the Western District of Kentucky.

Meadows faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 30 years in prison, a $500,000 fine and supervised release for life.

Meadows, a former minister with the United Methodist Church in Park City, admitted that on April 17, 2006, he knowingly distributed child pornography by computer. Additionally, Meadows admitted that on Oct. 4, 2006, he knowingly possessed child pornography. On Oct. 4, 2006, the FBI executed a search warrant on Meadows’ residence, the Church parsonage, and found images and videos of child pornography on Meadows’ computer, pictures of child pornography in Meadows’ desk, and discs containing additional videos of child pornography in Meadows’ bedroom. Among the pornography was a picture of a young girl, under 10 years of age, performing oral sex on an adult man, numerous images of girls under the age of 12 being raped by adult males, one young girl under the age of eight being raped by an adult male, and two videos of various girls under the age of 12 being raped by an adult male.

The plea was entered before U.S. District Court Judge Joseph H. McKinley, Jr., of Bowling Green, Ky. Meadows was immediately incarcerated following his plea.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States 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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Weiser and was investigated by the FBI.