Athens, Texas Man Guilty of Child Pornography Charges

Repair Shop found Child Pornography on Broken Laptop

June 3, 2010 - TYLER, TX—A 43-year-old Athens, Texas man has pleaded guilty to child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

James Clifford Hendrix pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography charges today before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Love.

According to information presented in court, on Aug. 15, 2008, Hendrix mailed his laptop computer to a computer repair business in Florida. During the repair, employees discovered images of child pornography and notified law enforcement authorities. A federal search warrant was obtained and executed at Hendrix's home, during which an additional computer was located which also contained child pornography images. An analysis of the computers revealed approximately 42 videos and 49 photographs of child pornography. Some of the material depicted children less than 12 years of age engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct. Hendrix was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 4, 2009.

This case is being 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 (CEOS), 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.

Hendrix faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher T. Tortorice.