Roane County Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Pornography

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Roane County man was sentenced today to 5 years for a child pornography crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Kenneth Frederick Stier, also known as J D Stier, John Stier, John Davis, and John David Stier, a 30-year old from Spencer, West Virginia, previously pled guilty to distributing child pornography. United States District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Stier was ordered to serve 20 years on federal supervised release after completion of his prison term, and to pay a $40,000.00 fine.  He will also be required to register as a sex offender.  Stuart commended the excellent work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Parkersburg Police Department, the Roane County Sheriff’s Office, and the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  

“Over 600 images of a child were distributed by this predator. It’s disgusting and all like him are true monsters among us,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Stier’s sentence reflects the serious need to keep him away from our kids. Child porn is a crime of violence and every case and every predator will be dealt with seriously and harshly by my office.”

Stier admitted that he installed Kik messenger on his cell pohone.  Kik Kik Messenger is an instant messenger application for mobile devices that allows users to send messages, pictures and videos.  An undercover law enforcement operation revealed that on December 13, 2016, Stier used his cell phone to distribute two videos of child pornography to other individuals in a Kik chat group session.

Stier also admitted to distributing child pornography videos on another occasion and to possessing over 600 images and videos.

Assistant United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston is in charge of the prosecution.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s 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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart

 
###