A Slidell man, identified as Richard Isla Talens, 39, has pled guilty to charges of transporting child pornography, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced yesterday. Talens admitted to carrying materials involving the sexual exploitation of minors, as detailed in Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(1) and (b)(1).
The investigation that led to Talens's plea began at Dulles International Airport where U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered he had transported a MacBook containing sexually explicit images and videos of prepubescent children to Istanbul, Turkey and back to the United States. The resulting search conducted at Talens's residence by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents uncovered even more incriminating evidence, leading to his arrest and subsequent guilty plea.
The Department of Justice's press release specifies that Talens could face up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.00. Following incarceration, he is also subject to a supervised release ranging from a minimum of five years to possibly life, in addition to a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program coordinates efforts across federal, state, and local agencies to effectively locate offenders and to provide aid and rescue to victims. Talens's sentencing is scheduled for September 18, as per the announcement provided by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
