SECOND DEFENDANT PLEADS GUILTY IN PENSACOLA IN INTERNATIONAL CHILD EXPLOITATION ENTERPRISE CASE

Stephan Bondarenko, a 38 year old Philadelphia man, became the second defendant to plead guilty for his involvement in a vast global child pornography trafficking enterprise.  He was one of 14 alleged members of the enterprise who were charged in a 40-count indictment on March 19, 2008.  He pleaded guilty today to four counts relating to his criminal activities as a member of the group: engaging in a child exploitation enterprise; conspiracy to advertise, transport, ship, receive and possess child pornography; advertising child pornography; and receiving child pornography.  Bondarenko faces a  minimum prison sentence of 20 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, in addition to statutory fines.  He will be sentenced on July 8, 2008.

Warren Weber, a 56 year old Boise, Idaho man, the first defendant to enter a guilty in this case, pleaded guilty to five related charges on April 17, 2008, and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 24, 2008.  Trial for the remaining defendants is scheduled to begin on June 2, 2008, in Pensacola, Florida.  The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.

(Washington and Pensacola, Florida)