FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 15, 2007
GLENN HELLER 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 Helena, on November 15, 2007, before Senior U.S. District Judge Charles C. Lovell, GLENN HELLER, a resident of Helena, appeared for sentencing. HELLER was sentenced to a term of:
- Prison: 87 months
- Special Assessment: $200
- Supervised Release: life
HELLER was sentenced after having been found guilty of receipt and possession of child pornography following a 1-day bench trial.
At trial, the government presented evidence of the following:
From 2001-2004 in Helena, Heller provided paid caregiving services for a disabled adult male with cerebral palsy, depression, brain seizures, and an IQ of 74, who was under the guardianship of the State of Montana.
While HELLER cared for the individual, hereafter referred to as "John Doe", HELLER directed "John Doe" to connect with websites on the Internet which offered child pornography and had "John Doe" download the child pornography to "John Doe's" computer hard drive. HELLER and "John Doe" would then watch the movies and HELLER would engage "John Doe" in sexual activity. HELLER also directed "John Doe" to download child pornography images to a computer file titled "Glenn's Files" and had him make several CDs that specifically referenced HELLER on the label of the CD. HELLER would lock the door to "John Doe's" room so that he would not be interrupted while viewing child pornography and engaging in sexual activity. HELLER used the easily manipulated developmentally disabled individual to procure and store child pornography in a place that was easily and regularly accessed by HELLER.
Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that HELLER will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, HELLER 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 a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Helena Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Department of Justice launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
