Youth Baseball Representative, Kent Attorney Charged with Possession of Child Pornography

A Maple Valley man and family law attorney in Kent was arrested today on federal criminal charges of receipt and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.

David S. Engle, 49, made his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court in Seattle. 

According to information available on the internet, Engle is heavily involved in youth baseball. On the organizational website, Engle is listed as the District 4 Commissioner for the Southern Washington Babe Ruth Leagues, which represents Pierce County (except Gig Harbor) and the Enumclaw School District, among others. He is also the coach for the Mid-Sound Pilots Select Bronco baseball team for 11- and 12-year-olds, the president for Maple Valley Pony Baseball and Fast Pitch, and the Assistant to the Mount Rainier Baseball Association’s Vice President of Babe Ruth Leagues. Engle also appears to be associated with a business named “5 Star Baseball and Softball," according to the U.S. State Attorney's office.

Engle came to the attention of law enforcement following the investigation of an international movie production company that operated a website offering DVDs and streaming videos for sale. The materials depicted young boys in sexually explicit activity. 

Between 2005 and 2011, investigators allege Engle purchased 78 different items from the website, spending nearly $3,000. Agents with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service executed a search warrant at Engle’s home today.          

The international movie production company was put out of business in May 2011, when agents seized its inventory and records. The company and the owners of the company are being prosecuted for child exploitation offenses, including the production and distribution of child pornography.          

Engle remains detained pending a hearing on Fri., Nov. 9. 

Receipt of child pornography is punishable by a mandatory minimum 5 years in prison and up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations.  A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

Information provided by the U.S. State Attorney's Office of Washington State