A 31-year-old Mancos man is in federal custody on child pornography and marijuana distribution charges.
Federal officials announced Wednesday that Stephen Paul Redwood was indicted on the charges by a federal grand jury earlier this month. He surrendered to authorities in Denver on Thursday, April 10.
The Cortez Journal reported in January that local, state and federal officials executed a search warrant at a residence on Country Road J. According to Wednesday’s Department of Justice press release, the search warrant was executed at Redwood’s residence.
During a detention hearing, federal officials announced to the court that Redwood sold marijuana to a 14-year-old and other minors as well.
Redwood appeared Wednesday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Denver, where he was advised of his rights and the charges pending against him. He was due back in court on Thursday.
According to the indictment, Redwood used a computer to transport and ship child pornography during a 16-month time span between 2012 and 2013, and knowingly received child pornography on four different occasions since 2012.
In addition to the child pornography charges, Redwood is accused of possession with intent to distribute marijuana between last October and January.
Redwood faces one count of transportation of child pornography and four counts of receipt of child pornography, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years. He also faces up to a $250,000 fine for each count.
Redwood is also charged with one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum 10-year prison term; one count of distribution of marijuana and one count of manufacture of marijuana, each of which carries a maximum five-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine.
Federal officials said the charges resulted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program was launched in 2006 to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com