Steven Babik Charged with Distribution of Child Pornography

January 19, 2010 - Thomas F. Kirwin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced today that Steven Michael Babik, 50, of Gainesville, Florida has been charged by a criminal Information filed in the United States District Court in Gainesville with one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. These charges are the result of an investigation by the Gainesville Police Department, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

The Information alleges that on numerous dates between November 2, 2009 and November 30, 2009, Babik knowingly received, distributed, and possessed materials depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. As to Count One, Babik faces a mandatory minimum of five years' to a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment, up to lifetime supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. As to Count Two, Babik faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, up to lifetime supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Babik is scheduled for an initial appearance on the charges at 1:00 p.m. today, before United States Magistrate Judge Allan Kornblum.

This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice initiative, Project Safe Childhood. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.