The Wyoming National Guard is aware that one of its members is facing federal charges on suspicion of distributing child pornography, but the Guard has chosen not to act until the case is adjudicated.
Sgt. First Class Daniel Gene Gumm faces two charges in the U.S. District Court for Wyoming, one alleging that in November and December he knowingly distributed child pornography; and another alleging that he possessed child pornography featuring prepubescent minors during that time.
Count one is punishable by between five and 20 years in prison and up to $250,00 in fines. Count two is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
Gumm was indicted May 16.
“We are aware of the indictment,” Maj. Karen Hinkle, senior legal counsel for the Wyoming National Guard, told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday.
Gumm is still a member of the Guard, she said.
“We are actively monitoring the situation and we will await the decision in federal court,” said Hinkle.
She said waiting for a case’s conclusion before reacting to it is standard practice in a lot of cases, “especially when they have sensitive evidence like these cases do.”
The Wyoming National Guard does have criminal jurisdiction to prosecute its own cases, Hinkle added, but in a case with sensitive evidence and technical investigations, the federal court “is very well-resourced and in a position to handle it.”
Gumm is working for the U.S. Property and Fiscal office in Cheyenne, Hinkle said.
