FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
DANIEL CHILDS SENTENCED IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on October 17, 2007, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, DANIEL CHILDS, a 24-year-old resident of Great Falls, appeared for sentencing. CHILDS was sentenced to a term of:
- Prison: 88 months
- Special Assessment: $200
- Supervised Release: 5 years
- Forfeiture: computer equipment
CHILDS was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to receipt and possession of child pornography.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
The Wyoming Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce initiated an
In March of 2006, a computer utilizing the IP address assigned to CHILDS' computer at his residence in Great Falls had images of child pornography available to other peer-to-peer users.
On May 5, 2006, agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) executed a search warrant at CHILDS' residence on the Air Force Base in Great Falls.
Found during the search was a computer that CHILDS admitted he used to receive and possess child pornography. Forensic analysis of CHILDS' computer revealed numerous image files and movies containing images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
When questioned, CHILDS admitted his role in receiving and possessing child pornography via the Internet.
Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that CHILDS will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, CHILDS does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
