An Ohio University student charged in federal court last week with one count of felony possession of child pornography could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to United States District Court documents.
Mackenzie C. Culp, an OU sophomore, is waiting for a judge to set the date for his plea hearing, said Fred Alverson, law enforcement coordinator for the United States Attorney's office of the Southern District of Ohio.
The maximum penalty listed on the government's plea agreement submission form for the case is 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, five years to life of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
OU's Office of the University Registrar confirmed that Culp is currently registered for Fall Quarter classes.
FBI agent Barry Couch discovered that Culp was sharing files containing suspected child pornography under the username Dogfish1 while browsing an unnamed file-sharing program April 15. Couch downloaded approximately 29 files from Dogfish1 containing suspected pornographic material involving prepubescent males and females as young as about 18 months of age, according to the search warrant affidavit.
The FBI searched Culp's Bromley Hall dorm room May 19 and seized a laptop, thumb drive, hard drive and 41 CDs. OU Police cooperated with the investigation and assisted the FBI in conducting the search, said Police Chief Andrew Powers in May.
Once we get into court
we will spell out the facts of the case that are based on the FBI investigation Alverson said.
Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi said the university has not been officially notified of any charges against Culp. If OU were to receive notification, University Judiciaries would address the charges.
Neither Culp nor his attorney could be reached for comment.
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Pamela Engel
