Federal officials announced Wednesday that Stephen Paul Redwood was indicted on the charges by a federal grand jury earlier this month. He surrendered to authorities in Denver on Thursday, April 10.<\/p>\n
The Cortez Journal reported in January that local, state and federal officials executed a search warrant at a residence on Country Road J. According to Wednesday\u2019s Department of Justice press release, the search warrant was executed at Redwood\u2019s residence.<\/p>\n
During a detention hearing, federal officials announced to the court that Redwood sold marijuana to a 14-year-old and other minors as well.<\/p>\n
Redwood appeared Wednesday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Denver, where he was advised of his rights and the charges pending against him. He was due back in court on Thursday.<\/p>\n
According to the indictment, Redwood used a computer to transport and ship child pornography during a 16-month time span between 2012 and 2013, and knowingly received child pornography on four different occasions since 2012.<\/p>\n
In addition to the child pornography charges, Redwood is accused of possession with intent to distribute marijuana between last October and January.<\/p>\n
Redwood faces one count of transportation of child pornography and four counts of receipt of child pornography, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years. He also faces up to a $250,000 fine for each count.<\/p>\n
Redwood is also charged with one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum 10-year prison term; one count of distribution of marijuana and one count of manufacture of marijuana, each of which carries a maximum five-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine.<\/p>\n
Federal officials said the charges resulted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program was launched in 2006 to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet.<\/p>\n