Airman jailed on child pornography conviction

  • Published
  • By Capt. Vanessa Hillman
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A Travis Airman was sentenced to three years confinement [reduced to two years by pretrial agreement], reduction to airman basic and a dishonorable discharge in court-martial proceedings here March 2. 

Tech. Sgt. Steven Novicki, 6th Aerial Refueling Squadron in-flight refueling technician, pled guilty to two specifications of violating Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice: possession and receipt of child pornography. 

After monitoring a Web site where they suspected child pornography was being exchanged, the FBI Atlanta Cyber Crimes Division notified Travis’ Office of Special Investigations in December 2003. 

An investigation was started immediately, according to Special Agent Edward Slaton, Air Force OSI’s chief of investigative operations. 

“The FBI had a large ongoing operation against a network of child pornographers,” Agent Slaton said. “Novicki came up as part of that network through his IP address.” 

OSI launched a full investigation into Sergeant Novicki to include an extensive analysis of his seized computer. OSI computer crime investigators found more than 1,600 images containing child pornography, according to Agent Slaton. In addition, AFOSI was able to identify Novicki, gather evidence against him and apprehend him before any children from the network or from the local area became victims. 

“Military or civilian persons who are looking at or for child pornography images and think they are going to get away with this type of crime are only fooling themselves,” stated Agent Slaton. “There are AFOSI Computer Crimes Investigators, other federal, state and local high tech crimes task forces and private citizens who police the internet and bring these offenders to justice every day.” 

Although this case was uncomfortable for all involved, in the end it has positive results for the military. 

“When faced with an unpleasant situation, we looked it in the eye, did our best and got justice,” said prosecutor Maj. Dom Ayotte, 60th AMW chief of military justice. 

“It enhances peoples’ faith in the military and the military justice system that we’re going to do the right thing and get the right outcome. A conviction is not always the right outcome,” Major Ayotte continued, “but this time it certainly was. OSI sunk their teeth into this and did such a good job finding everything to tell the story; there was nowhere for him to go.” 

Special Agent Fred Reynolds, AFOSI Western Region chief of information, operations and investigations, suggests parents and children go to www.Metsmartz.org for helpful information and tips on avoiding being a victim of an online predator. 

If you suspect you have been or may be targeted by an online predator, make a report with your local law enforcement agency and also report on www.Cybertipline.com.