Child porn cases growing concern for U.S. attorneys

ST. LOUIS -- As the number of child pornography cases handled by her office continues to grow, federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway sees an equally disturbing trend: The depicted acts themselves are becoming more violent.

This week, Hanaway announced indictments against five men in separate cases, bringing to 27 the number of child porn indictments out of her office this year, a pace that would top the record 34 last year.

Her counterpart in southern Illinois, Randy Massey, on Thursday announced 10 new indictments related to child porn. His office has obtained 23 child porn charges this year.

Hanaway said the seized videos, DVDs, pictures and Internet images are increasingly disturbing.

"These are graphic acts of violence against kids," she said. "These are pictures of crime scenes involving rape and molestation of children.

"The level of violence is increasing and the age of children is decreasing, sadly."

One of the Missouri suspects, Daniel McInnis, 38, of St. Charles, was accused of videotaping himself having sexual contact with a minor. Hanaway said other indicted men possessed images of children performing sex acts with adults or other children.

Hanaway credited good investigative work in the upsurge of cases, but said, "Unfortunately, I think there are more of these guys out there than ever before. While there have always been pedophiles and child molesters out there, I think the Internet has given them a medium to communicate not only among themselves but with children."

But Hanaway said the Internet also provides police and the FBI with a tool to catch molesters before they act, often by posing as children or simply checking questionable Web sites.

"That's what gives me hope," she said.

McInnis was charged with producing child porn in addition to possessing it. If convicted, the production count requires a mandatory 15-year sentence, Hanaway said.

First-time offenders convicted of possessing child porn typically get five years in prison, she said.