CHARLOTTE MAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON ON SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN CONVICTION

Defendant Distributed Visual Images of Child Pornography in Interstate Commerce

CHARLOTTE, NC - Derek Garth Dyda, 37, of Charlotte was sentenced Thursday, August 3, 2006 in Charlotte, announced United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert and Nathan T. Gray, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Operations for North Carolina. The Honorable Chief U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr. sentenced Dyda to serve a 108-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a life term of supervised release. Dyda was further ordered to pay a $15,000 fine. The defendant has been in federal custody since his arrest on March 3, 2006 by Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents in Charlotte.

Dyda entered a guilty plea on April 28, 2006 to both counts in a federal bill of indictment charging him with violating the federal laws prohibiting sexual exploitation of children.
The federal criminal counts to which Dyda pled guilty specifically charged 1) the knowing distribution of one or more visual depictions that had been transported in interstate and foreign commerce, which involved the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct in December of 2004; and 2) that Dyda knowingly possessed a computer which contained numerous images and video files of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct in July of 2005.

“As evidenced by this sentence imposed by Judge Conrad, law enforcement will bring to justice those who engage in the sexual exploitation of minors–no matter how this terrible crime is committed,” said United States Attorney Gretchen Shappert. “Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has recently announced the implementation of a new program called Project Safe Childhood, where federal prosecutors and law enforcement will be partnering together on all levels to aggressively pursue persons engaged in computer-facilitated sexual abuse and exploitation of children. Lengthy prison sentences will be the consequence for persons who commit these crimes. Project Safe Childhood also includes the thorough education of the public–especially children, parents, and school personnel–about the threats to our children, and ways to prevent online exploitation,” Shappert added.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina is formulating local initiatives for the full implementation of Project Safe Childhood. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and protecting children from online exploitation and abuse, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte at 704.344.6222.

“Given the substantial investigative tools and stiffer punishment available under federal law, my office and the federal investigative agencies will be increasing the number of sexual exploitation investigations and prosecutions in Western North Carolina,” Shappert said. The goal is to ensure the worst offenders get the maximum amount of jail time possible.

Shappert praised the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimlani M. Ford.

DEREK GARTH DYDA
DOB: 9/18/68
12541 Britton Woods Place
Charlotte, North Carolina