(WALB) - A Quitman man was found guilty of a child pornography possession charge, according to the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
Ferrell Walker, Jr., also known as “Sonny,” 49, faces a minimum of 10 years in jail and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years without parole.
Sentencing is set for November 7, 2018.
Walker was found guilty of the possession charge in the Valdosta Division of the Middle District of Georgia on July 31, after a two-day long trial.
Walker was previously convicted of possession of child pornography, also in the Valdosta Division of the Middle District of Georgia in 2007 and sentenced to 84 months in prison.
Following his release from prison, Walker was under the supervision of the United States Probation Office.
During a search of Walker's home, probation officers recovered a Samsung phone hidden in a pillowcase in his bedroom, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The phone contained approximately 1,000 images of child pornography. Many of the images were of pre-pubescent children as young as 2 years of age, and depicted sadomasochistic conduct, such as rape, officials said.
“Mr. Walker’s conviction demonstrates that child pornography is not a victimless crime, but rather the horrific depiction of the sexual abuse of children,” said United States Attorney Charles E. Peeler. “To those who choose to view child pornography take note: federal and state law enforcement officials are teaming up to take you down. Providing the citizens of Middle Georgia with the safe neighborhoods they deserve is the top priority of this office, and I thank law enforcement for their hard work in this matter.”
“Each time a sexual predator like Mr. Walker views the unconscionable images of innocent young children being abused, the children are re-victimized. Since he did not learn the first time he was convicted of the same crime, hopefully the sentencing for this conviction will give him even more time when he cannot victimize any more children,” said Ricardo Grave de Peralta, acting special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta.
This case was investigated by the United States Probation Office and the FBI, with assistance from the Tift and Lowndes County sheriff’s offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julia C. Bowen and Jim Crane are prosecuting the case for the government.
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