United States Attorney's Office
Northern District of Iowa
United States Attorney Stephanie M. Rose

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2011

Lowden Man Charged with Possessing Child Pornography
     Robert James Abels, age 19, from Lowden, Iowa, has been charged with one count of possessing child pornography.  The charge is contained in a Complaint filed on February 22, 2011, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
     The Complaint alleges that, on or about February 3, 2011, Abels possessed over 2,000 images of child pornography on computer equipment at his home.  The Complaint also alleges Abels was on state probation for a sex offense.  Abels was arrested on February 3, 2011, on a probation violation warrant and was later transferred to federal custody.
     If convicted, Abels 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.
     Abels appeared today in federal court in Cedar Rapids and was held without bond.  Abels' next appearance has not yet been set.
     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 Cedar County Sheriff's Office and the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.