James Richard Knox, 54, of Orange pleaded guilty to federal child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas on Friday.

According to information presented in court, on Sept. 13, 2006, law enforcement agents executed a federal search warrant at Knox’s residence and seized his personal computer equipment. A forensic analysis of the equipment revealed a substantial amount of material containing images of child pornography.

Knox was indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 16, 2007.

Knox faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

This case is being 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals 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.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.