Clayton County Police Officer Pleads Guilty in Obscenity Case

CASEY AUSTIN CARMICHAEL, 29, of Newnan, Georgia, pleaded guilty today (August 14, 2008) in federal district court to a one count Criminal Information, charging that defendant CARMICHAEL knowingly attempted to transfer obscene matter on the Internet to a person under the age of 16.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of the case, “It is a sad day when a police officer or any public official misuses the trust of the citizens by using public resources to transfer pornographic material to a child. The actions of this officer should not negatively reflect upon the vast majority of law abiding officers and officials who work tirelessly in our community, including those officers who caught this defendant.”

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: In September 2007, CARMICHAEL, while on duty as a Patrolman with the Clayton County Police Department, used his Department-issued computer to transfer obscene materials to a person CARMICHAEL believed to be girl under 16 years of age. CARMICHAEL had contacted her in a “chat room” on the Internet, and had conversations with her relating to obscene materials over several days while on duty as a Patrolman. The underage girl was actually an FBI Agent working undercover with the Project Safe Childhood Task Force. CARMICHAEL was dismissed from the Clayton County Police Department upon his indictment in this case.

Sentencing for CARMICHAEL is scheduled for October 16, 2008, at 2 p.m. before United States District Judge Willis Hunt. The defendant has agreed to a binding plea in this case of 2 years, 9 months in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney's Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and its Project Safe Childhood Task Force.

Assistant United States Attorney David E. McClernan is prosecuting the case.

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