SOUTH BEND — An Elkhart man has pleaded guilty to the felony charge of distribution of child pornography, according to a release from the United States Attorney’s Office.

Jeffry Cripe, 38, made the plea before Magistrate Christopher Nuechterlein in district court today, Jan. 18.

Nuechterlein has recommended the court accept Cripe’s guilty plea. Parties have 10 days to object to the judge’s recommendation.

Cripe was arrested on July 24, 2012, and formally charged in August with seven counts related to child pornography, including three counts of distribution of child pornography, two counts of enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit activity, one count of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

The charges were filed as a result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Indiana State Police.

Cripe’s sentencing has been scheduled for April 18, 2013. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Maciejczyk.