The law makes it a crime to transport, receive or distribute pictures involving "the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct."

Sexually explicit conduct, in turn, is described as including "lascivious exhibition of the genitals or pubic area."

The laws appear to only outlaw "realistic images representing a minor engaged in a sexually explicit conduct".

Nine years ago Congress made it a crime to receive or possess pictures or videotapes of "a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct."

The computer hyperlink contained, among other things, seven images of actual minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Under the law, people who produce, distribute, transport and receive materials depicting sexually explicit conduct by minors face up to 15 years in prison plus fines.

Identifying photos of explicit sexual conduct was no problem.

Also, on approximately March 14, 2011, Herschell possessed visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

The rules ban "depictions of nudity or sexually explicit conduct" that fall short of obscenity.

Secret Service agents obtain a warrant and searched his home, finding two computer hard drives with images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.