An Orem photographer admitted Wednesday to producing and distributing pornographic photographs of his adopted daughter.

Joseph Paul Durborow, 41, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of conspiracy to sexually exploit children.

He faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years in prison on each count. Sentencing is scheduled Aug. 19.

Durborow was charged both in Utah and California for his activity in an international child pornography ring. He was arrested by U.S. Customs agents following a 10-month investigation.

Prosecutors in both states agreed to dismiss several additional counts, including receiving and distributing child pornography and additional counts of sexual exploitation of children, in exchange for Durborow's guilty pleas.

According to court documents, between June 1998 and June 1999, Durborow photographed minors, including his then 11- or 12-year-old adopted daughter, engaged in explicit sexual activity. And from December 1999 to January 2002, Durborow and 19 other defendants exchanged pornographic photographs via the Internet and U.S. mail.

"The purpose of the conspiracy was to sexually gratify the defendants by utilizing children for the production of images of such children and others engaged in sexually explicit conduct," court documents state.

U.S. District Judge Paul Cassell on Wednesday ordered Durborow to undergo psychosexual counseling prior to his sentencing.

At the time of his arrest, Durborow and his wife had adopted or had guardianship of 12 children, including 10 still living in their home.

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Department of Child and Family Services spokeswoman Carol Sisco said Thursday that the 10 children still live with Durborow's wife, who hasn't been implicated in the criminal proceedings. Durborow has been in custody since his arrest last August.

DCFS placed three foster children in the home, and the Durborows adopted two of those through a private adoption agency. There was no indication at the time that the children were in any danger, Sisco said.

Earlier this week, a Clearfield man pleaded guilty to taking pornographic pictures of his 7- and 9-year-old stepdaughters. Paul Jeffery Williams faces more than 24 years in prison when he is sentenced in July.


E-MAIL: awelling@desnews.com

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