Crime & Safety

Former Villa Rica Teacher Sentenced for Child Pornography Possession

Joseph Monroe Wilson, of Paulding County, has been sentenced today to three years in federal prison for possessing images of child pornography on his home computer.

“This prosecution successfully removed a teacher from the classroom who not only ordered and collected child pornography, but who also had unfettered access to children as a school teacher,” said United States Attorney Yates.

“Because children innocently trust teachers like this man, it is essential that we identify and prosecute such individuals.”
 
“The Postal Inspection Service is charged with enforcing the laws that defend the nation's mail system from illegal use.  The use of the U.S. mail to exploit children is intolerable and those responsible will be held accountable, just as this defendant with today's sentencing,” said George Frazier, Assistant Postal Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Atlanta Field Office.

According to United States Attorney Yates, the criminal indictment, and material presented in court: In February and March 2011, Wilson ordered numerous images and movies containing sexually explicit images of young boys from a company based in Canada. In March 2012, the United States Postal Inspection Services executed a federal search warrant at Wilson’s home in Paulding County. 

During the search warrant, law enforcement found a large portrait of a young, naked boy hidden in Wilson’s closet and numerous images of child erotica and child pornography on Wilson’s home computer. At the time the search warrant was executed, Wilson was a teacher at New Georgia Elementary School in Villa Rica and was in the process of adopting a seven‑year‑old boy. He is no longer teaching at the school and the adoption did not take place.

Wilson, 44, of Spartanburg, SC, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Robert L. Vining, Jr. to three years in prison to be followed by 30 years of supervised release. The defendant will be required to register as a sex offender when he is released from prison. This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Jill E. Steinberg and Brent A. Gray are prosecuting the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or 404-581-6016.  The Internet address for the home page for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia iswww.justice.gov/usao/gan


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