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KZN-Born Farmer Faces Child Pornography Charges in US Court
A 43-year-old South African man with ties to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has appeared in a United States federal court facing charges related to the distribution of child pornography. Marcell Meyer, who currently resides in Sackets Harbor, New York, was arrested in Jefferson County, Alabama, where he was reportedly working on a farm.
According to reports, Meyer allegedly used an internet-based social networking application on his cell phone to distribute child pornography to other users, including individuals who identified themselves as children.
The US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York stated that, according to the criminal complaint, Meyer distributed child pornography through this platform. In one instance, he allegedly sent such material to an undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent whom Meyer believed to be a 13-year-old girl.
The consequences of a conviction on these charges could be severe. The US Attorney’s Office indicated that if found guilty of child pornography distribution, Meyer faces a prison sentence ranging from 5 to 20 years, a potential fine of up to $250,000 (approximately R4.7 million), and a supervised release period of five years to life.
Furthermore, upon release from prison, Meyer would be required to register as a sex offender and would likely face immigration consequences due to the conviction.
The case is being investigated by HSI Syracuse and HSI Portland, Maine, with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol, New York State Police, and the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine. Assistant US Attorney Adrian S LaRochelle is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Meyer’s plea to the charges remains unclear at this time.
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Sourced:The Witness
