Local law enforcement agencies receive from child porn convict’s seized assets

The Richland Police Department received $96,667.21 and the Kennewick Police Department received $58,000.58 in asset forfeiture equitable sharing funds after the property of a man who pleaded guilty to charges related to creating child pornography.

Both agencies worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the undercover investigation into Dale Gordon Black from Kennewick. The FBI downloaded a child pornography video from an Internet Protocol address that was traced back to Black's residence using a peer-to-peer file sharing program.

According to a press release, investigators obtained a search warrant and seized a number of electronic devices from Black's home. A forensic examination of the electronic devices revealed child pornography images that he had produced. The images were of three children that Black knew either as neighbors or through his work with Ignite Youth Mentoring, a program for at-risk elementary and middle school aged students.

Investigators recovered more than 600 photos, and seven videos depicting two male victims' genitals and engaging in sexually explicit behavior with a female victim.

On December 18, 2018, Black pleaded guilty to three counts of Production of Child Pornography. On July 16, 2019, Senior United States District Judge Edward F. Shea sentenced Black to a 30-years in prison, followed by lifetime supervision. The court also ordered Black to forfeit $185,000 in cash, one vehicle, and to pay $19,150 in restitution, along with $305,000 in fines.

The government seized and sold Blacks Subaru Legacy, which was used to transport at least two of the victims to Oregon where some of the pornography was produced. Black's house was also seized and sold because much of the child pornography was produced there.

The Richland and Kennewick Police Departments received a share of 80% of the value of of the forfeiture proceeds for their contributions to the investigation and prosecution of Black.

The agencies are expected to use the funds to further their crime-fighting efforts.