CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – Scott Ristine, 40, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is facing a potential lifetime behind bars after being indicted on charges of distributing, receiving, and possessing child pornography. The indictment, unsealed May 30, 2017, in United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, details a disturbing pattern of alleged activity dating back to 2015.
According to court documents, Ristine allegedly distributed child pornography and received and possessed it on multiple devices, including a cell phone, a memory card, a computer, and two flash drives. This isn’t Ristine’s first brush with the law regarding this horrific crime; the indictment further alleges a prior conviction for receipt of child pornography in the Northern District of Iowa back in 2002. A repeat offender, clearly unrepentant.
If convicted on these charges, Ristine is looking at a mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison. However, the potential maximum sentence is a staggering 180 years. Beyond imprisonment, he could face a $1,750,000 fine, $35,700 in special assessments, and a minimum of five years – potentially life – on supervised release after serving his time. This case sends a clear message: exploiting children will be met with the full force of the law.
Ristine made an initial appearance in federal court in Cedar Rapids today for a detention hearing. The judge deemed him a flight risk and held him without bond. His next court date, a trial setting, is scheduled for July 31, 2017. The Grimy Times will be there to report every grim detail.
This investigation is a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating the escalating epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project pools resources from federal, state, and local law enforcement to identify predators and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc.
Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel is prosecuting the case, with the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation leading the investigation. Readers can access court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl (case file number CR 17-37). Remember, an indictment is simply an accusation; Ristine is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But the evidence, as presented, paints a deeply disturbing picture. Follow the USAO_NDIA on Twitter @USAO_NDIA for updates.
RELATED: Iowa Man Gets 2.5 Years for Jan. 6 Capitol Riot
RELATED: Iowa Man Threatens AZ Election Officials
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More