A Platte County man has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a nationwide pornography investigation. The charges involve photographs and videos of four children as young as eight years old.
US Attorney Tammy Dickinson says Raymond Appling, 31, of Ferrelview, Missouri pleaded guilty to four counts of producting or attempting to produce child pornography. Under the terms of a plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of 40 years in federal prison.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
By pleading guilty today, Appling admitted that he took pornographic photos and video of four child victims, which he shared with others.
According to today’s plea agreement, FBI agents had identified two suspects in Colorado and in San Diego, Calif., that linked Appling to the child pornography ring. Detectives executed a search warrant at Appling’s residence on Feb. 8, 2012, and seized computers, computer media and a camera.
In an interview with the detectives, Appling identified a third member of the child pornography ring located in Pennsylvania. The other suspects are being prosecuted in those jurisdictions.
Appling admitted that he took a child victim, identified as Jane Doe #1, to visit the San Diego suspect, whom he knew had a sexual attraction to minors. Appling also took pornographic photos of Jane Doe #1 when she was eight years old.
Appling also took photos of a second child victim, identified as Jane Doe #2. Appling took photos of Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 together in the shower. Jane Doe #2 told investigators that she had met the San Diego suspect at Appling’s home.
Appling took photos of a third child victim, identified as Jane Doe #3, while she was asleep on his couch. A series of photos depicts Appling moving Jane Doe #3’s clothes so that she is exposed, and Appling touching her.
Appling also produced a movie of a 12-year-old victim, identified as Jane Doe #4, while she was undressing and getting ready to take a shower.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.