ROSE HILL, Va. — A federal jury found a Rose Hill man guilty of five child pornography charges. Robert Franklin Doyle Jr., 46, faces a maximum sentence of 90 years, a minimum of five, and could be fined an additional $1.25 million when sentenced on Feb. 24.

The trial was held in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, in Big Stone Gap. Doyle has been in custody since last February and was found guilty of one count receiving child pornography, one count possessing child pornography, and three counts distributing child pornography.

“Protecting our children from online predators is one of our office’s highest priorities,” U.S. Attorney Julia C. Dudley said Friday. “I am grateful to the men and women who served on the jury that held Mr. Doyle accountable for his actions.”

According to evidence presented at the trial, Doyle knowingly received, via e-mail, images he knew contained child pornography, between August 2003 and January 2004. During this time he also transmitted images he knew contained child pornography.

“It is imperative that we work to bring to justice those who continue to exploit children through the possession and distribution of child pornography,” said Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell. “Our office has worked closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Secret Service to resolve this case in a just manner. I commend the prosecutors and law enforcement officers who worked diligently to see this case through.”

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.

Led by U.S. Attorneys Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood uses federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police and the U.S. Secret Service.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.