FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment Thursday against Andrew James Sarnowski, 22, of Rosamond, charging him with separate counts of production of child pornography and distribution of child pornography, and two additional counts of receipt of child pornography.

Pursuant to a search of his residence, electronic devices belonging to Sarnowski were identified and found to contain hundreds of child pornography files, including those depicting pre-pubescent boys and girls being sexually abused.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Bakersfield, Lancaster, Ventura and Los Angeles Offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as the Kern County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian W. Enos is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of the production of child pornography charges, Sarnowski faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

If convicted of the distribution of child pornography charges or either of the two receipts of child pornography charges, Sarnowski faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.