Wade Rowland Sanders, who served in the Clinton administration as a deputy assistant secretary of the Navy and more recently as an advisor to the lieutenant governor of California, has admitted to having over 600 images of minors on his computer. According to U.S. Attorney Karen Hewitt, investigators also found video depicting several “prepubescent females engaged in lewd sexual conduct with an adult male”.
FBI agents discovered the downloads as part of a nationwide sting called Project Safe Childhood. The initiative started in 2006 and was designed to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation and abuse, according the Hewitt. The feds raided Sanders home in May 2008 and based upon the materials found, were able to identify as least one exploited girl.
Sanders, 67, appeared in San Diego federal court on Monday and admitted that he possessed the photos in question. He will be sentenced on March 30 and could end up with a 10 year prison sentence and $250,000 fine. Under a plea bargain, prosecutors have agreed to recommend a prison sentence of 5-6 years.
Sanders, a San Diego lawyer, served as a U.S. Navy Swift boat captain in the Vietnam War, earning a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was introduced by John Kerry at the 2004 Democratic Convention.
He retired from the U.S. Navy as a captain and is currently a member of the San Diego Police Department Senior Oversight Committee according to the lieutenant governor’s office.
Photo below – click to enlarge.
Photo: Courtesy Military.com