Edward Dean Pleads Guilty to Production of Child Pornography and Transporting a Minor Across State Lines to Engage in Sexual Activity

BINGHAMTON, NY—United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced that as a result of an investigation conducted by the Southern Tier Cyber Predator Task Force (STCPTF) and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, defendant Edward Dean, aka Skip, 49, of Dundee, New York, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Federal Court in Binghamton, New York. Defendant Dean pleaded guilty to production of child pornography in violation of Title 18 USC 2251(a) & (e) (count one of the indictment) and transporting a minor in interstate commerce to engage in sexual activity in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(a) & (e) (count two of the indictment).

Prior to the entry of the guilty pleas, the United States filed a plea proffer document with the United States District Court describing in detail the evidence expected to be presented at the trial of Edward Dean. The plea proffer was incorporated into the plea proceedings on Tuesday.

Dean will be sentenced on December 6, 2012, in federal court in Binghamton, New York. At sentencing, defendant Dean faces the following penalties:

Count One:

a. Maximum term of imprisonment: 30 years. [18 U.S.C. §§ 2251(a) & (e)]

b. Mandatory minimum term of imprisonment: 15 years. [18 U.S.C. §§ 2251(a) & (e)]

c. Supervised release: In addition to imposing any other penalty, the sentencing court must require the defendant to serve a term of supervised release of at least five years and may impose a term of up to life, to begin at the expiration of any term of imprisonment imposed upon him. [18 U.S.C. § 3583(k)]. Should the defendant subsequently violate any of the terms and conditions of that release before the expiration of such term, he may be sentenced to up to three years’ imprisonment in addition to any prison term previously imposed upon him and in addition to the statutory maximum term of imprisonment set forth above. Under some circumstances, the court may also extend the term of supervised release, and it may modify, reduce, or enlarge the conditions of such release.

d. Maximum fine: $250,000 [18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)]

e. Mandatory restitution: pursuant to the mandatory victim restitution act, the sentencing  ourt must order that the defendant pay restitution to any victim. (18 U.S.C. § 3663A)

f. Special assessment: the defendant will be required to pay an assessment of $100 on each count, which is due and payable at the time of sentencing. (18 U.S.C. § 3013).

g. Interest and penalties: interest and penalties may accrue, as a matter of law, on any unpaid financial obligation imposed as part of the defendant’s sentence, from as early as the date of sentencing.

h. Required registration for sex offenders: the defendant, as a result of his conviction in this case, must register as a sex offender and keep the registration current in each jurisdiction where the defendant resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student. For initial registration purposes, the defendant must also register in New York as a result of this conviction, even if he resides in a different jurisdiction. A sex offender who knowingly fails to register or update a required registration may be subject to prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 2250 and face a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

i. Collateral consequences: conviction of a felony may result in the loss of certain civil rights, including, but not limited to, the right to vote and the right to possess firearms.

Count two:

j. Maximum term of imprisonment: life. [18 U.S.C. §§ 2423(a) & (e)]

k. Mandatory minimum term of imprisonment: 10 years. [18 U.S.C. §§2423(a) & (e)]

l. Supervised release: in addition to imposing any other penalty, the sentencing court must require the defendant to serve a term of supervised release of at least five years and may impose a term of up to life, to begin at the expiration of any term of imprisonment imposed upon him. [18 U.S.C. § 3583(k)] Should the defendant subsequently violate any of the terms and conditions of that release before the expiration of such term, he may be sentenced to up to three years’ imprisonment in addition to any prison term previously imposed upon him and in addition to the statutory maximum term of imprisonment set forth above. Under some circumstances, the court may also extend the term of supervised release, and it may modify, reduce, or enlarge the conditions of such release.

m. Maximum fine: $250,000 (18 U.S.C. § 3571(b))

n. Mandatory restitution: pursuant to the mandatory victim restitution act, the sentencing court must order that the defendant pay restitution to any victim. (18 U.S.C. § 3663A)

o. Special assessment: the defendant will be required to pay an assessment of $100 on each count, which is due and payable at the time of sentencing. (18 U.S.C. § 3013).

p. Interest and penalties: interest and penalties may accrue, as a matter of law, on any unpaid financial obligation imposed as part of the defendant’s sentence, from as early as the date of sentencing.

q. Required registration for sex offenders: the defendant, as a result of his conviction in this case, must register as a sex offender and keep the registration current in each jurisdiction where the defendant resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student. For initial registration purposes, the defendant must also register in New York as a result of this conviction, even if he resides in a different jurisdiction. A sex offender who knowingly fails to register or update a required registration may be subject to prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 2250 and face a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

r. Collateral consequences: conviction of a felony may result in the loss of certain civil rights, including, but not limited to, the right to vote and the right to possess firearms.

Dean is incarcerated and will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until sentencing.

The Southern Tier Cyber Predator Task Force (STCPTF) consists of the following agencies: New York State Police; Binghamton Police Department; Broome County District Attorney’s Office; Broome County Security Division; Broome County Sheriff’s Office; Endicott Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Johnson City Police Department; Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office; Tioga County Sheriff’s Office; Delaware County Sheriff’s Office; Ithaca Police Department; Cortland Police Department; SUNY Binghamton University Police; Vestal Police Department; and Cornell University Police.