David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that a Bridgeville man was sentenced on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, to 235 months in prison for attempting to get pornographic photographs from a minor. Following his time in prison, he will spend ten years on federal supervised release. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika pronounced the sentence.
According to court documents, Frank R. Bucklew, 57, spoke through a dating application with an undercover police officer who he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. He had detailed sexual discussions with her and repeatedly asked that she send him pornographic images of herself. Bucklew is a registered sex offender following a conviction for a sex offense in a Baltimore, Maryland state court in 2000.
U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “Soliciting pornographic photos from a minor is child abuse. My office, in partnership with our law enforcement partners, will continue to use all available resources to identify and prosecute individuals who chose to victimize our children.”
“One of our top priorities at Homeland Security Investigations is the apprehension of those who prey upon vulnerable children,” said William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations’ Philadelphia Field Office. “Partnerships are key to these efforts. This case highlights the impact investigators and prosecutors can make when working closely together to rid our communities of child predators.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations – Philadelphia Division and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Graham L. Robinson and Ruth Mandelbaum.
