November 15, 2007                                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE            http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md

CONTACT AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or MARCIA MURPHY at (410) 209-4885

MARYLAND REPEAT SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS FOR PRODUCING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
Faces a Maximum Sentence of 40 Years Tomorrow in State Court for Sexual Contact with a Minor Boy

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Robert Paul Layton, age 48, of Dundalk, Maryland, today to 25 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for sexual exploitation of a minor to produce child pornography and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. In 1994, Robert Paul Layton was convicted of a third degree sex offense in Prince George's County, Maryland, and is already a registered sex offender. Judge Motz also ordered Layton to forfeit his home, car, computer and other property seized at his residence.

"Thanks to a coordinated effort by local and federal law enforcement officials, Robert Layton will not be able to victimize any more children," stated United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.

According to the plea agreement, on February 7, 2007, a search warrant was executed at Layton's home. The search warrant was based in part on statements by a 13 year old boy and 14 year old boy that they had been sexually abused by Layton. Subsequent investigation and forensic examination of Layton's computer revealed that in the summer of 2003 Layton coerced a 14 or 15 year old minor male to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. Layton sexually abused additional minor boys, ranging in age from 11 to 15 years old. Layton would give the minor boys cash, alcohol and marijuana in return for the performance of sexual acts and would permit the minor boys to view pornography at his residence.

Forensic examination of Layton's computer and associated thumb drive revealed numerous movies constituting child pornography, and numerous deleted images of child pornography. Six movies on Layton's computer depicted prepubescent minors.

Finally, between 2004 and 2006, Layton traveled to South Dakota in order to engage in sexual activity with a minor boy and caused the boy to travel to Baltimore from South Dakota. The abuse started when the boy was 13 years old.

Layton pled guilty in Baltimore County Circuit Court on October 10, 2007 to two counts of second-degree sex offense arising out of his sexual contact with a minor boy at his home in January of 2007. Layton faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison at his sentencing tomorrow in state court.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Department of Justice launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit //www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Baltimore County Police Department for their investigative work, and expressed appreciation to Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott D. Shellenberger and Assistant State's Attorney Sue Hazlett for their assistance in this case. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Bonnie S. Greenberg, who prosecuted the federal case.