United States v. Ward, No. 12-1511 (3d Cir. 2013)
Annotate this CaseA search of Ward’s possessions at Dulles Airport uncovered child pornography. After Ward’s arrest, agents searched his office at the Wharton Business School and found photographs and videos of Ward engaged in sex acts with minors (J.D. and R.D.). The pictures were taken in Brazil, where the boys lived. Ward’s email included communications with the boys. in which Ward requested that the boys engage in sex with other men chosen by Ward. Ward paid J.D.’s family. Attempting to acquire a visa for J.D. to visit the U.S., Ward made false statements. He was charged in Pennsylvania and Virginia federal courts, unsuccessfully attempted to consolidate the cases, pleaded guilty, and received a sentence of 15 years in Virginia. In Pennsylvania he pleaded guilty to shipping child pornography in interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. 2252(a)(1), false statements to a federal officials, 18 U.S.C. 1001, and inducing a minor to engage in sexual conduct, 18 U.S.C. 2251(a). While an appeal was pending, Ward maintained contact with J.D. and R.D., attempted to establish a relationship with their children, and attempted to use his attorneys to contact his victims for non-legal reasons. Ward indicated that he wished to make a statement at his resentencing hearing. The court insisted that his allocution be delivered under oath. Ward spoke about his contrition, his interest in rehabilitation, his struggle in accepting his homosexuality, his diagnosis of leukemia, and his hope that he would not die in prison. The court sentenced him to 300 months, with a fine of $250,000, explaining that the fine was within the advisory range and that the amount was a reasonable figure which Ward could pay. The court also ordered that Ward have no contact with minors, especially his victims’ children. The Third Circuit affirmed.
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