Former Radio, TV Traffic Reporter Pleads Guilty In Child Pornography Case

[Louis Cypher]

Written By: Jeannie Piper, Web Producer
http://www.9news.com


DENVER A former Denver radio and TV traffic reporter known as Sam Hammer faces eight years in federal prison following a child pornography sting that linked to him to a 14-year-old girl.

Dean Edward Letschka, 50, who used the on-air name Sam Hammer, pleaded guilty Friday to receiving child pornography.

Letschka was arrested in February as part of an undercover investigation. Authorities say he was communicating with a 14-year-old via the Internet and asked her to mail him pictures of her using a sexual device, which he had purchased online.

Investigators say Letschka also sent the 14-year-old film to take the photos.

Authorities arrested Letschka when the package he expected to contain child pornography was delivered to his home. He then learned there were no pictures and no 14-year-old, but rather an undercover Postal Inspector who was pretending to be a teen.

Forensic analysis of Letschka's computer also revealed that he had received seven images of child pornography electronically.

There was also evidence of numerous online chats with other juveniles containing explicit sexual content.

Agents further determined that Letschka was communicating via the Internet with another undercover agent who was pretending to be a minor female.

A U.S. District Court judge will determine Letschka's sentence in January.