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Press Release

Franklin County Man Sentenced To 24 Years For Child Exploitation And Child Pornography Crimes

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

St. Louis, MO – GARY A. DOTSON was sentenced to 24 years in prison for child exploitation and child pornography offenses.

According to court documents, between 2010 and 2012, Dotson produced child pornography involving one victim and attempted to produce child pornography involving another victim.  Both victims were under the age of twelve at the time of the offense.  In addition, between 2011 and 2012, Dotson actively participated in an online community centered on trafficking in child pornography. Within this community, Dotson received and transported child pornography over the internet on an almost daily basis.  As he traded child pornography, Dotson also repeatedly notified community members that he was seeking “custom” child pornography produced specifically for him.  One such notice included Dotson’s request that a member produce and send him an image of a child engaged in a sexual act while holding a sign with a message written specifically for him. 

Dotson, Pacific, Missouri, pled guilty in August to one felony count each of production of child pornography, attempted production of child pornography, notice and advertisement for child pornography, receipt of child pornography and transportation of child pornography.  He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge John A. Ross.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and the Regional Computer Crimes Education and Enforcement Group (RCCEEG).  Assistant United States Attorney Charles Birmingham prosecuted the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Updated March 19, 2015