Evesham Man Admits Possession of Child Pornography

CAMDEN – An Evesham man pleaded guilty today to a one-count Superseding Information charging possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Fred Supnick, 50, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle to knowingly possessing more than 10 images of child pornography on his laptop computer. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 27.

Pursuant to a court-approved search warrant, Supnick’s personal laptop computer was seized at his home on July 17, 2003 by law enforcement officers. Supmick admitted today that he knew the computer’s hard drive contained more than ten images of persons under the age of 18 engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Supnick also agreed that minors were used to produce the images he possessed.

Supnick admitted that he download the images from e-mails sent to him by others from outside of New Jersey, as well as from various Internet sites. Supnick admitted he possessed the child pornography of his own free will and with the knowledge that it was against the law.

Supnick is free pending sentencing on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond.

The possession of child pornography charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

In determining an actual sentence, Judge Simandle will consult the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide a formula that takes into account the severity and characteristics of the offenses and the defendant’s criminal history, if any. The judge, however, has the discretion to sentence within, above or below any determined sentencing guideline range.

Parole has been abolished in the federal system. Under Sentencing Guidelines, defendants who are given custodial terms must serve nearly all that time.

Christie credited the Special Agents of the FBI, under the direction of Leslie G. Wiser, Jr., Special Agent in Charge in Newark, with investigation of the case.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diana V. Carrig, of the Criminal Division in Camden.

Defense Attorney: Leonard Baker, Esq. Haddonfield