(Sioux City)– A Sibley man has been indicted in U-S District Court on child pornography charges.
The indictment, unsealed Tuesday, charges 39-year-old Michael Mayer with three counts of production, receipt and possession of child pornography.
Mayer is accused of enticing a minor under the age of 18 to engage in visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct. The incident is alleged to have taken place between May 2008 and August 2008.
Mayer is also accused of knowingly receiving and possessing child pornography.
Mayer appeared in U-S District Court Tuesday and was released on bond yesterday (Wednesday). Trial is set for December 7th.
If convicted of production of child pornography, Mayer faces a possible sentence of 15 to 30 years in prison, a 250-thousand dollar fine and supervised release for five years following any imprisonment.
If convicted of receipt of child pornography Mayer faces a possible sentence of five to 20 years imprisonment, a 250-thousand dollar fine and supervised release for five years to life following any imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, FBI, and the Osceola and Sioux County Sheriff’s Offices.
The 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.
