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U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Tennessee
800 Federal Office Building
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
FIVE INDIVIDUALS INDICTED ON CHILD EXPLOITATION CHARGES
Memphis, TN – Lawrence J. Laurenzi, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced that yesterday a federal grand jury returned five (5) indictments charging five (5) individuals with various violations of federal criminal law involving the production, receipt, transportation, and possession of child pornography, use of a computer to persuade a minor to engage in sexual conduct, and interstate travel with intent to engage in sexual activity with a minor. The indictments resulted from investigations conducted by member agencies of the Memphis Crimes Against Children Task Force - specifically, the FBI, ICE, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and Memphis Police Department, and by the U.S. Secret Service. The individuals charged in the indictments are as follows:
TERRY TROY GODDARD, 44 year old Arlington, Tennessee resident: Three (3) count indictment charging Use of a computer for the purpose of persuading a female minor to engage in sexual conduct (“Enticement”); Interstate travel with intent to engage in sexual activity with a minor (“InterstateTravel”); and forfeiture allegations. Maximum penalty for “Enticement”, not less than 5 years not more than 30 years prison, $250,000 fine, or both; Maximum penalty for “Interstate Travel” is not more than 30 years prison, $250,000 fine, or both.
PHILLIP HAVEN SANCHEZ, 37 year old Martin, Tennessee resident: Five (5) count indictment charging Production of child pornography by use of a 12 year old female minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; Receipt and Possession of child pornography. Maximum penalty for Production, not less than 15 years not more than 30 years prison, $250,000 fine, or both; Maximum penalty for Receipt, not less than 5 years not more than 20 years prison, $250,000 fine, or both; Maximum penalty for Possession, not more than 10 years prison, $250,000 fine, or both.
RICKY DALE HAMRICK, 47 year old Bryan, Ohio resident: Three (3) count indictment charging Transportation of child pornography. Maximum penalty for Transportation, not less than 5 years not more than 20 years prison, $250,000 fine, or both.
VELMAR JOHNSON, 41 year old Maury City, Tennessee resident: Three (3) count indictment charging Production of child pornography by use of a male minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; Possession of child pornography; and forfeiture allegations. Maximum penalty for Production, not less than 15 years not more than 30 years prison, $250,000 fine, or both; Maximum penalty for Possession, not more than 10 years prison, $250,000 fine, or both.
MICHAEL G. WHEELER, 51 year old Memphis resident: Twelve (12) count indictment charging Receipt and Possession of child pornography; and forfeiture allegations. Maximum penalty for Receipt, not less than 5 years not more than 20 years prison, $250,000 fine, or both; Maximum penalty for Possession, not more than 10 years prison, $250,000 fine, or both.
JAMES ALTON KELLER, 35 year old Humbolt, Tennessee resident: Seven (7) count indictment charging Receipt and Possession of child pornography; and forfeiture allegations. Maximum penalty for Receipt, not less than 5 years not more than 20 years prison, $250,000 fine, or both; Maximum penalty for Possession, not more than 10 years prison, $250,000 fine, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan L. Newsom will be handling these cases on behalf of the United States Attorney’s Office.
Note: Charges brought against a person through an indictment are accusations only. That person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.