Laotian immigrant admits taking child-porn photos with phone

Michael Zeigler:

A Rochester man admitted today that he used his cellular phone to take two sexually explicit photos of a 6-year-old girl.

Vang Khammanivong, 60, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a felony of possession of child pornography. He faces a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of $250,000 when he’s sentenced Nov. 6.

Khammanivong, a native of Laos, emigrated to the United States in 1986, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Resnick. He is not a naturalized U.S. citizen and faces the likelihood of deportation after he serves his prison term, Judge Charles J. Siragusa told him.

Khammanivong pleaded guilty to state charges of use of a child in a sexual performance in August 2006 and received 10 years probation. Federal prosecutors felt the crime was serious enough to warrant federal prosecution, which carries more severe penalties, Resnick said.

Child porn photos admitted