Salem Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

Brian Benjamin Berry faces charges of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the First and Second Degree.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon Attorney General John Kroger today announced the arrest of a Salem man on child pornography charges. “Fighting child pornography has been one of my top priorities since I took office,” said Attorney General Kroger.

The defendant is 29-year old Brian Benjamin Berry of Southeast Salem. Berry is on probation for a 2007 conviction for Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree.

The Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit investigated the case and served a search warrant on Berry’s house this morning. Berry was arrested on charges of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the First and Second Degrees.

He was lodged in the Marion County jail.

Every criminal defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The Oregon Department of Justice ICAC unit investigates and prosecutes predators who use the internet to target and sexually exploit children.

The unit works with district attorneys, law enforcement agencies and regional task forces that investigate online predators. ICAC is the only program in Oregon that is equipped with the necessary resources to catch sexual predators throughout the state.

Budget cuts last year threatened to end the program in Oregon, but Attorney General Kroger made restoring the funds a top public safety priority. Last year, Kroger announced that the Oregon Department of Justice had received a $665,000 federal stimulus grant to keep the program operating.

Since 2005, more than 100 internet predators have been convicted as a result of ICAC’s work.

Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department's mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, promote a positive business climate, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.

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Source: Oregon Attorney General's Office