Child porn investigation of Boy Scouts executive has international interests

[ilink url=”https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B5RceGCTe55ySFBBdGd6bGtaMFE”%5DBuffalo Trace Council letter to parents[/ilink]

Jasper—A Jasper couple joined a group of Child Service Agents and media representatives at the Jasper Train Depot for a press conference on a child pornography case being brought against a former Boy Scouts executive.

The couple were there to learn more information about the investigation into 33-year-old Ryan Bieler of 2674 Dublin Street in Ireland, IN. They have a daughter and son involved in scouting in Jasper and Bieler served as the Senior District Director of the Boy Scouts Buffalo Trace Council.

The Buffalo Trace Council serves five counties; Dubois, Warrick, Spencer, Perry, and Pike. According to U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett they have been very cooperative in the investigation. “Late last night the Boy Scout office in Evansville mailed or e-mailed letters to all parents of boys in the Buffalo Trace Council. At least every boy they believe Mr. Bieler may have had contact with,” Hogsett stated at the press conference.

[quote style=”boxed”]”Based upon the review of the information available at this time, as of last night, investigators have not found any evidence that any Indiana youth in Scouting were exploited, abused or were the victims of any inappropriate contact by Mr. Bieler,” Hogsett read from a press release from the Buffalo Trace Council. Anyone with information about the case is directed to call 317-328-2512.[/quote]

U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett explained the extent of the investigation and stated this was just the beginning of the investigation into Bieler’s activities.

The case began in October 2010 when U.S. Postal Inspectors joined foreign law enforcement officials in investigating an international movie production company. The company operated a website through which DVD’s and videos could be purchased.

In May of 2011, foreign and U.S. officials executed a search warrant and seized the company’s database of current and past customers’ orders. Through that data they determined that about 160 DVD and video titles the company sells contain images of child pornography.

As U.S. Postal Inspectors and the foreign investigators delved through the company’s database they determined several customers located in the United States, including Bieler, had ordered DVD’s and videos featuring minors.

Investigators determined Bieler had most recently ordered a movie on Feb. 19, 2011, about three months prior to the search and seizure. Using the title of the video Bieler ordered, the Postal Inspectors determined it contained images of minor boys in the nude. Through this internet order the inspectors were able to determine the physical address of the computer with which the order was placed.

On Nov. 1 of this year the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana issued a search warrant for Bieler’s Ireland residence. The warrant was served by Postal Inspectors on Nov. 8. Inspectors found Bieler at home alone and spoke with the investigators while the search of the residence was being conducted.

During this interview Bieler admitted to being attracted to young boys and girls and had acquired sexually explicit material involving minors. Investigators found several DVDs and videos stored on a computer at the residence and Bieler admitted to having purchased them through this international company and others.

Investigators also found written material in which Bieler described his physical attraction to particular boys he has had access to and interaction with, but no boys have been identified as having any improper contact with Bieler yet.

Bieler waived his right to a detention hearing and has been in custody since Nov. 8.  According to Hogsett, Bieler will remain in custody until the case is disposed.

Hogsett was unable to reveal the international company or country it was located in due to the nature of the investigation.

Hogsett stated the length of time between the beginning of the investigation in 2010 and the resulting arrest made on Nov. 8 this year was due to the extensive nature and worldwide implications of the case. Hogsett stated not only do investigators have to determine the recipients of the materials, they also have to identify the children in the movies that are being exploited. “Typically it does take a long time for investigators to review volumes of material,” Hogsett said. “I can’t comment directly on this investigation because it was conducted by foreign investigators, but the pornographic material itself contains victims because it involves kids. There is an enormous effort made at the front end (of the investigation) to identify children who have been victimized by the production of the videos, pictures, movies.”

According to Hogsett, although the investigation involves many individuals worldwide, Bieler is the only suspect identified in the state of Indiana as a customer purchasing from this company.

According to a press release issue by the Department of Justice, Bieler could face up to 20 years for receiving child pornography and 10 years for possession of child pornography.

“Our primary concern is to make sure that parents, particularly in this five county area, are notified and have the opportunity to talk to their children to see whether or not there are any additional charges,” Hogsett said. “Frankly as a father and a parent, I pray that no additional charges will be filed because I pray that we’ll find out that Mr. Bieler’s interest as alleged in the criminal complaint was confined to his own home and just himself.”

Anyone with information regarding this case is directed to contact 317-328-2512.