David Abston Pleads 'Guilty'

Thursday, March 8th 2007, 10:21 am

By: News On 6

A Tulsa man pleads guilty to child pornography charges. David Abston stood before a federal judge Thursday and admitted he had downloaded sexually explicit photos of minors and made them available on his computer. Abston was wearing a red colored jail jumpsuit and looked much different than when he was first arrested last November. David Abston pleaded guilty to two counts, rather than the original three he was charged with.

Prosecutors say 55-year-old David Abston had 200 video files on his computer that were accessed by a FBI agent in Miami, Florida last fall. That agent tipped the FBI in Tulsa and that's how the investigation began.

Abston wore glasses, stood with his hands on his hips and rocked back and forth on his toes, while admitting his guilt Thursday. "He's not doing well, simply because he's in the Tulsa county jail. He doesn't, he's lost about 40 pounds since in custody and custody is not agreeable with him, but that's one of the consequences he understands," says Keith Ward, Abston's attorney.

David Abston also agreed to forfeit his home to the government on the condition that 45 percent of the proceeds go to pay his attorney's fees.

Abston faces between 5 to 20 years in prison for his crimes and will be sentenced on June 27th.

For more background on this story, click on the links below to read additional stories about David Abston.

11/14/2006 - Broken Arrow Child Pornography Investigation

11/15/2006 - Suspect In Broken Arrow Child Pornography Case Fails To Appear In Court

11/16/2006 - David Abston Arrested By Bixby Police

11/17/2006 - Man Facing Child Pornography Distribution Charge Appears In Federal Court

1/9/2007 - Motion To Dismiss Denied In David Abston Federal Court Case

2/5/2007 - Child Pornography Suspect Seeks Plea Deal

2/7/2007 - Child Pornography Suspect Heads To Court