FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) - A Pee Dee man living in North Myrtle Beach pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to manufacturing child pornography.
According to a press release, Gerald E. Roberts, age 52, of Pageland, SC, will be sentenced at a later date.
Evidence presented in the case showed images of a minor female, approximately four to six years of age, involved in sexually explicit activity with an adult male, which were being posted on the internet in October 2012.
The investigation revealed that between January 1, 2010, and August 1, 2012, in Greene and Christian counties, Missouri, Roberts persuaded the child to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography.
Further investigation determined that Roberts was distributing the child pornography on the internet from a residence in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The search was conducted of Roberts' home on November 8, 2012, at which time the child pornography images were recovered, as well as a large amount of other child pornography. Roberts was arrested at that time.
The maximum penalty Roberts can receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment for 30 years, plus a special assessment of $100.00.
Gerald Roberts/Florence County Detention Center
