Kentucky man sentenced for possession of child pornography

Evansville – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today that John Thomas Allen, 34, of Harned, Kentucky, was sentenced to 60 months in prison by U.S. District Chief Judge Richard L. Young following his guilty plea to possession of child pornography. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Violent Crimes Task Force and the Evansville Police Department.

“Those who prey on our children can no longer hide behind the anonymity of computers in their own home,” said Minkler. “Let this be a warning to others who think they can avoid being detected and held accountable.”

            In November 2013, a task force officer assigned to the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force conducted an on-line investigation of the sharing of child pornography files on a peer sharing network. Investigators found downloaded video files depicting children under the age of 18 engaged in sexually explicit acts and poses.

Investigators obtained a search warrant which led them to Allen’s apartment. Allen told investigators that he was the person using the lap top computer and a disc drive. Further investigation found 1073 pornographic images that were previously deleted but investigators were able to locate on the hard drive. Some of the images included minors under the age of 12 that portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct and other depictions of violence.

            According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted the case for the government, Judge Young imposed 10 years of supervised release following Allen’s release from prison. Allen must register as a sex offender, must not have unsupervised contact with minors, and also must participate in a sex offender treatment program while on supervision.