Smith County Man Guilty of Child Porn

TYLER — A 62-year-old Tyler man has pleaded guilty to child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales. William Robert Pate pleaded guilty in Tyler to possessing child pornography before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

According to information presented in court, on Mar. 26, 2010, investigators executed a search warrant at Pate’s home for suspected child pornography after images were reported being uploaded to an Internet website from Pate’s IP address. During the investigation, Pate admitted to downloading child pornography over the Internet and consented to a search of his computer. An analysis of the computer revealed approximately 97 images and 7 videos of child pornography. Some of the material depicted children less than 12 years of age engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on April 8, 2010 charging Pate with child pornography violations.

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Pate faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.