The United States Attorney's Office

Northern District of Iowa

Press Releases

FEDERAL APPEALS COURT AFFIRMS 30-YEAR CHILD PORN PRODUCTION SENTENCE

August 21, 2007

Contact: Ian Thornhill

United States Attorney Matt M. Dummermuth announced today that a Cedar Rapids man’s 30-year sentence for producing child pornography was upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

On August 14, 2006, ABDEL MAGEED FADL, 36, from Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment following his October 3, 2005, guilty plea to one count of sexual exploitation of children by producing child pornography. In 2004, FADL used a digital camera to take digital photographs of a 13-year-old boy engaging in sexually explicit conduct and then transferred those photos to a computer. FADL also admitted he victimized six additional minor boys in the same manner and had sexual contact with some of these victims.

FADL appealed the denial of his motion to withdraw his guilty plea, the constitutionality of the statute under which he was convicted, the application of the statute to his case, and the length of his sentence. In part, FADL claimed the district court failed to properly consider his involvement in community activities and the fact that 14-year-olds are considered adults in his native country of Sudan.

The Court of Appeals today affirmed FADL’s conviction and sentence, rejected his claims, and found the district court properly sentenced FADL. The Court said “the district court did, however, take note of FADL’s community standing and concluded that this standing may have facilitated his crimes.” FADL was a youth group leader.

“Today’s decision by the Court of Appeals highlights the seriousness of child pornography offenses,” said Dummermuth. “Those who victimize children this way face lengthy federal prison terms when they are caught. Our office aggressively pursues child pornographers from investigation through completion of the appeal process to ensure they serve the sentences appropriate to their crimes.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ian K. Thornhill and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.