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Press Release

Moses Lake Man Sentenced To Five Years In Federal Prison For Distribution Of Eleven Child Pornography Images

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Washington

Spokane – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Benjamin James Brekke, age 23, of Moses Lake, Washington, was sentenced today after having previously pleaded guilty in February of 2014 to Distribution of Child Pornography. United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Brekke to a five year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a life term of court supervision after he is released from Federal prison. In addition, Brekke will be required to register as a sex offender.

According to court records, on October 17, 2013, Brekke distributed approximately eleven graphic child pornography images of an infant in a car seat being forced to perform oral sex of an adult male to an undercover employee working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On October 18, 2013, Brekke was arrested and federal search warrants were obtained for Brekke's cellular telephones. Over 1,500 images of child pornography were located on one of his cell phones.

Michael C. Ormsby said, "Prosecuting offenders who are not only collecting child pornography, but also distributing child pornography images is a priority of the United States Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Washington. This Office, together with its Federal and state law enforcement partners, is and will continue to be committed to prosecuting aggressively and seeking appropriate punishment for child pornography crimes."

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative ("PSC") has five major components:

  • Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue child victims;
  • Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;
  • Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;
  • Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and
  • Community awareness and educational programs.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources".

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Stephanie J. Lister, an Assistant United States Attorney and PSC Coordinator for the Eastern District of Washington.

13-CR-00164-TOR

Updated January 29, 2015