Federal Bureau of Investigation - New Orleans Field Division

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2007

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - Developments in three separate prosecutions under the Project Safe Childhood Initiative were announced today by U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.

In the first case, ARTURO MONTANIO, 30, of New Orleans, was indicted today by a Federal Grand Jury with one count of Possession of Child Pornography. According to the indictment, during the execution of a federal search warrant by FBI agents on August 10, 2007, MONTANIO was found in possession of computers and other computer media that allegedly contained visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

If convicted, MONTANIO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years on the Possession of Child Pornography charge.

In a separate case, MICHAEL TESCH, age 58, a resident of Bridge City, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to nineteen (19) years and seven (7) months (235 months) in prison for felonies involving the sexual exploitation of children. In addition, TESCH will be placed on supervised release for life, is required to register as a sex offender, is required to provide a DNA sample, and is prohibited from accessing computers or the internet. TESCH is also ordered to pay restitution to the victim’s family for counseling as needed.

In May, MICHAEL TESCH pled guilty before U. S. District Judge Ivan L. R. Lemelle to violations of producing, receipt, and possessing child pornography. TESCH faced a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen (15) years imprisonment and a maximum of thirty (30) on the Production of Child Pornography conviction.

According to documents filed in federal court, the FBI initiated an investigation into TESCH after learning that he had subscribed to a website named “illegal.cp”. The FBI seized computers, cameras, and DVDs on two separate occasions. Based on FBI forensic analysis it was determined that TESCH had produced images of child pornography depicting six year old girl. Additionally, federal investigators found approximately 15,842 images of child pornography. According to a factual basis filed in court, TESCH confessed to FBI agents to downloading and receiving images of child pornography from the Internet. TESCH told FBI special agents that some of the children were as young as three.

Also announced today, CHRISTOPHER BLAND, 22, of Hammond, Louisiana, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. BLAND, who was arrested in July after the execution of a federal search warrant at his home in Hammond, Louisiana.

BLAND faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years, followed by up to a life term of supervised release, a $250,000.00 fine and can be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing in the BLAND matter is scheduled for December 12, 2007 at 9:30 A.M..

Both of these cases were prosecuted by Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Assistant United States Attorney Brian M. Klebba.


U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE United States Attorney Jim Letten Eastern District of Louisiana FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2007 WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/LAE		CONTACT: KATHY ENGLISH PHONE: (504) 680-3068 FAX: (504) 589-4978

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2007 NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - Developments in three separate prosecutions under the Project Safe Childhood Initiative were announced today by U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. In the first case, ARTURO MONTANIO, 30, of New Orleans, was indicted today by a Federal Grand Jury with one count of Possession of Child Pornography. According to the indictment, during the execution of a federal search warrant by FBI agents on August 10, 2007, MONTANIO was found in possession of computers and other computer media that allegedly contained visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. If convicted, MONTANIO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years on the Possession of Child Pornography charge. In a separate case, MICHAEL TESCH, age 58, a resident of Bridge City, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to nineteen (19) years and seven (7) months (235 months) in prison for felonies involving the sexual exploitation of children. In addition, TESCH will be placed on supervised release for life, is required to register as a sex offender, is required to provide a DNA sample, and is prohibited from accessing computers or the internet. TESCH is also ordered to pay restitution to the victim’s family for counseling as needed. In May, MICHAEL TESCH pled guilty before U. S. District Judge Ivan L. R. Lemelle to violations of producing, receipt, and possessing child pornography. TESCH faced a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen (15) years imprisonment and a maximum of thirty (30) on the Production of Child Pornography conviction. According to documents filed in federal court, the FBI initiated an investigation into TESCH after learning that he had subscribed to a website named “illegal.cp”. The FBI seized computers, cameras, and DVDs on two separate occasions. Based on FBI forensic analysis it was determined that TESCH had produced images of child pornography depicting six year old girl. Additionally, federal investigators found approximately 15,842 images of child pornography. According to a factual basis filed in court, TESCH confessed to FBI agents to downloading and receiving images of child pornography from the Internet. TESCH told FBI special agents that some of the children were as young as three. Also announced today, CHRISTOPHER BLAND, 22, of Hammond, Louisiana, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. BLAND, who was arrested in July after the execution of a federal search warrant at his home in Hammond, Louisiana. BLAND faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years, followed by up to a life term of supervised release, a $250,000.00 fine and can be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing in the BLAND matter is scheduled for December 12, 2007 at 9:30 A.M.. Both of these cases were prosecuted by Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Assistant United States Attorney Brian M. Klebba.