Department of Justice
United States Attorney Stephanie M. Rose
Northern District of Iowa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2010

CHICKASAW COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
     Darrin Meirick, age 31, from Alta Vista, Iowa, has been charged with one count of possessing child pornography. The charge is contained in an Indictment unsealed September 21, 2010, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
     The Indictment alleges that, on or about September 23, 2008, Meirick possessed visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
     If convicted, Meirick faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and supervised release following any imprisonment for at least 5 years and up to life.
     Meirick appeared on September 21, 2010, in federal court in Cedar Rapids and was released on bond. Meirick's next appearance for trial is set for November 22, 2010.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
     The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter Deegan and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Chickasaw County
Sheriff's Office and the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.