UPDATE 1 -- U.S. prosecutors charge 72 over child porn network

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UPDATE 1 -- U.S. prosecutors charge 72 over child porn network

2011-08-03 21:24:23 GMT+7 (ICT)

LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. prosecutors have filed charges against more than 70 people who were allegedly involved in an international website which distributed child pornography, officials said on Wednesday.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana and the U.S. Justice Department said in two separate media advisories that it will announce details of the charges during two press conferences, one held in Washington, D.C. and the other in Louisiana.

The first news conference is scheduled to be held at 11.30 a.m. EDT by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Officials from other agencies will also be present during the news conference in Washington, D.C.

Although the U.S. Justice Department gave no specific details about the case, the U.S. Attorney's Office provided more information in its media advisory. It said a total of 71 individuals were allegedly members of a private members-only bulletin board entitled 'Dreamboard' which distributed child pornography.

"United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley will host a press conference related to the unsealing of three indictments and one complaint charging a total of 72 individuals," the media advisory said, announcing a 4 p.m. CST press conference in Louisiana. "U.S. Attorney Finley will announce the results to date of the largest U.S. prosecution of an international criminal network organized to sexually exploit children."

Other details were not immediately released.

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