Date: 02-17-2021

Case Style:

Case Number: 5:20-cr-00247-M-1

Judge: Richard E. Myers, II

Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina (New Hanover County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office

Defendant's Attorney:

Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory

Description: Wilington, North Carolina distribution of child pornography charge criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant, Donald Gregory Hoggard, 40, who was charged with distribution of child pornography.

A search warrant was executed at the residence on October 8, 2019. Hoggard was present and admitted that he had an account with Kik. Hoggard admitted to posting and trading child pornography images on that social media app and admitted to having a Dropbox account which contained child sexual exploitation images and videos. A forensic analysis was performed on Hoggard’s digital devices and Dropbox account. Hoggard had hundreds of images and videos containing child pornography, some of which included the sexual abuse of infants or toddlers.

At the time of the execution of the search warrant, Hoggard was attending Fayetteville State University and was majoring in Education. He had been a substitute teacher in Cumberland County from 2016-2018.

“Every image, every depiction of child exploitation victimizes a vulnerable child. These are among the most despicable and base crimes we are tasked with prosecuting. But we take on these matters to protect these vulnerable victims and to bring these predators to justice,” said the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr. “We are grateful for the sentence imposed by the Court today. And I would like to commend the dedicated law enforcement officers at the federal, state, and local level who have partnered to achieve today’s results. We are all safer because of their commitment to this work.”

“This sentencing not only removes a serial predator from our community, it also sends a message to others engaged in this filth that we are serious about finding, arresting and prosecuting them,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Ronnie Martinez, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in North Carolina. “Thanks to some hard work and the great partnerships we have with our law enforcement and community partners, this community can rest easier knowing this monster is no longer free.”

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. Homeland Security Investigations, Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, Cary Police Department, State Bureau of Investigation and United States Marshals investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson, AUSA prosecuted the case.

Distribution of Child Pornography
(1)
Possession of Child Pornography
(2)

Outcome: Defendant was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

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Defendant's Experts:

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