United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, December 11, 2008, that on December 4, 2008, Daniel Toler of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.

The one-count indictment, unsealed today, named Toler, age 46, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on or about July 31, 2008, Toler did knowingly possess visual depictions, namely, images and videos contained in computer graphics files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Assistant United States Attorney Soo C. Song, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney's 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.

The Pittsburgh High Technology Crimes Task Force, which is composed of agents and investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Ross Township Police Department, the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office and troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment of Toler.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.