Johnny Sutton, U.S. Attorney
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Shana Jones, Special Assistant Daryl Fields, Public Information Officer
(210) 384-7440 September 17, 2008
FEDERAL INDICTMENT RETURNED AGAINST SAN ANTONIO COUPLE
ALLEGING THE SALE OF A CHILD FOR SEXUAL PURPOSES
United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced today that a federal grand jury in San Antonio returned an indictment against Jennifer Louis Richards, 25, and Sean Michael Block, 40, for selling a child, knowing that as a consequence of the sale, the child would be subject to sexually explicit conduct.
The five count indictment charges both defendants with one count each of selling a child and distribution of child pornography. Richards is also charged with one count of using interstate communication facilities to transmit information about a minor. According to court documents, the defendants allegedly schemed to arrange for the sale of Richards’ five-year-old daughter knowing that doing so would result in the five year old being portrayed in a visual depiction engaging in sexually explicit conduct. In exchange for the sale of her child, Richards would receive an apartment and a used car.
The indictment also alleges that in connection with the scheme to sell Richards’ child, both defendants used their computers to distribute child pornography.
Upon conviction of all charges, both defendants face a minimum of 30 years to life in federal prison. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with the San Antonio Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Tracy Braun and Sarah Wannarka are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
An indictment a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law