LAPLACE – Leonard Gray, the managing editor of L’Observateur, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Friday on charges of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Jim Letten announced.

Gray, who was suspended from his duties at the newspaper earlier this week when information about the pending indictment was revealed, was arrested on August 17 by the FBI in Slidell, following an undercover investigation.

That investigation involved an FBI undercover operation where Gray allegedly went to Slidell expecting to meet a 16-year-old female, whom he had solicited sex from.

The original charges of enticement led to the child pornography charges, after the FBI seized his computer and found further evidence.

He was brought before United States Magistrate Judge Louis Moore Jr., and had been detained in the St. Charles Parish Jail since then at the government’s request, as the investigation continued.

His personal computer was seized from his home following his arrest, and Letten said that they recovered computer equipment and digital media that contained images depicting the victimization of children.

Gray could receive a maximum of 20 years in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine, and face a lifetime of probation upon his release from prison, should he be convicted.

L’Observateur Publisher Kevin Chiri declined to comment at this time, other than again stating that &#8220Gray has been suspended pending our own investigation.”

The charges involve the mailing, shipping or receipt of material involving a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, the indictment said.

Gray will be formally arraigned in the next couple of weeks, and currently remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service.

Letten said that Gray is being held without bond since prosecutors have asked the judge to do so.

&#8220In any case that we feel there is a risk of flight, or a danger to society, we can ask a suspect be held without bond. That is what prosecutors have done here, and will continue unless his lawyer asks for another hearing,” he said.

Letten asked that anyone in the River Region area who may have evidence associated with the case is asked to call his office at (504) 680-3000.

&#8220These cases are never completely over,” he said. &#8220We hope one arrest can lead to another possible arrest to stop the people involved in this kind of thing.”

Letten also commended those involved in the investigation since his agency is committed to fighting all levels of abuse against children.

&#8220First I want to commend and thank the Special Agents of the FBI’s New Orleans Division for their continued excellence and dedication in protecting our children,” Letten said. &#8220That commitment is embodied in Project Safe Childhood-a high priority of the U.S. Department of Justice, dedicated to the protection of children from Internet predators and traffickers in child pornography which is so dangerous and abusive to our children and all of our citizens.”