Tampa, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Ian Grantz (24, Tarpon Springs) with distribution of sexual abuse materials and possession of child sexual abuse materials. If convicted on all counts, Grantz faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years, and up to 20 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Grantz that the United States intends to forfeit an iPhone, which is alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.
According to the indictment and court proceedings, an investigation began due to Grantz posting child sexual abuse material images depicting infants and toddlers being sexually abused on his Tumblr account. Agents conducted a residential search warrant, during which Grantz provided his cell phone for forensic review. An analysis of the cell phone revealed additional child sexual abuse material images, including pornographic images of a child living in the Tampa Bay area. Grantz admitted to distributing and possessing child sexual abuse images.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abigail K. King.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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 locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.