Release Date: Friday, September 25, 2009 4:15 p.m.
Harvey L. Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, announced that Paul Alonzo Ewing, age 38, of Portsmouth, was sentenced today in Norfolk federal court to 15 years in prison followed by a lifetime period of supervised release on child pornography charges. Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after Ewing was sentenced by United States District Judge Jerome B. Friedman. Ewing had pled guilty to three counts of possession of child pornography on June 29, 2009.
“This case is an excellent example of the cooperation that exists between both state and federal jurisdictions among the experienced professionals that head these offices,” Bryant said. “Taking this case to federal court significantly narrowed the options of this defendant in terms of delay and sentencing. It was very fortunate that Senior Commonwealth’s Attorney Chuck Griffith was available to use his experience as a former federal prosecutor in the investigation and prosecution of this case.”
According to court documents and information provided in open court at sentencing, on September 29, 2008, Portsmouth Police seized personal computers and other media from Ewing’s residence pursuant to a search warrant. At the time of the seizure, Ewing was a police officer with the Portsmouth Police Department. An analysis of Ewing’s computers and a thumb drive revealed 242 images of child pornography of a local 15 year old girl. Ewing further admitted that he produced the images and engaged in sexual contact with the 15 year old girl.
Following the initial investigation by the Portsmouth Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation assumed jurisdiction of the case for further investigation. At the request of Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney Earl Mobley, Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney Harvey L. Bryant was appointed by the Portsmouth Circuit Court to prosecute the case to avoid any appearance of bias in the investigation or prosecution of a former Portsmouth police officer. Virginia Beach Senior Commonwealth’s Attorney Charles D. Griffith, Jr., cross-designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney, along with Assistant United States Attorney Melissa E. O’Boyle, prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. Please call Julie Pickell if additional information is desired.
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