WCU student indicted for child porn

Posted by Press Release on June 1, 2018

A West Chester University student has been charged with transporting, receiving and possessing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain. The defendant was arrested this June 1.

Ryan Davis, 21, of Thornbury, formerly a resident of Glen Mills, was charged by indictment May 31 with transporting, receiving and possessing a collection of more than 600 images and videos of children being sexually assaulted and depicted in sexually explicit positions on various dates in 2016 and 2017. The indictment was unsealed the day of arrest.

The charges arose out of an investigation into Davis’ online criminal activities involving his use of his Dropbox and other online accounts to sexually exploit children.

“Child exploitation is a horrendous crime, and we have to do everything in our power to stop it,” said McSwain. “That’s why these cases are a priority, as is ensuring that the offenders are held fully accountable.”

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 60 years’ incarceration, which includes a 5-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment, five years up to a lifetime of supervised release, and $750,000 in fines.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States 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 exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Delaware County District Attorney’s office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella.

An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.