Hank Hirst Sentenced to 7 Years for Child Rape Images Distribution,…

GRIMY NEWS: AUBURN, WA – A terrifying case of child sexual exploitation has reached its conclusion. Auburn man Hank Hirst, 39, was today sentenced to seven years in federal prison for distributing images depicting the rape and molestation of children.

Hirst, whose residence was a mere stone’s throw from an elementary school, pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography in February 2014. The U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan announced the sentence. Hirst was initially arrested in June 2013 after his home and electronic devices were searched, revealing over 2,700 images and 447 videos of children being sexually abused.

Further investigation unearthed a chilling 170-page manual on Hirst’s computer detailing pedophilia and grooming tactics for child sexual abuse. Videos captured through Hirst’s window showcased neighborhood children at play, evidence that he was not just distributing content but also actively seeking out victims.

U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour imposed a harsh sentence, including 25 years of supervised release after prison and mandatory sex offender registration upon his release. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Auburn Police Department conducted the investigation, while Assistant United States Attorney Ehren Reynolds prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project leverages federal, state, and local resources to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children online, as well as rescue victims.

For more information on Project Safe Childhood and its efforts to protect children, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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