A federal grand jury in Roanoke has indicted a Vinton, Virginia man on charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. Alageon Jaytown Lee Gravely, also known as "AJ," is accused of using at least three minor victims to produce child pornography and receiving images from another minor. He is also charged with transmitting obscene material to a person under 16.
Gravely faces five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, four counts of receipt of child pornography, and one count of transferring obscene materials. If convicted on the charge of producing child pornography, he could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Hanley from the Virginia State Police, and Christopher Heck, Acting Special Agent in Charge at ICE Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C.
The investigation involves the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and the Virginia State Police with support from the Roanoke County Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 aimed at protecting children from exploitation and abuse through collaboration among federal, state, and local resources.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.