Belton Man Gets 30 Years for Child Porn

Kansas City, MO – Steven Michael George, 45, of Belton, Missouri, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison today for distributing child pornography. Judge Stephen R. Bough also ordered three decades of supervised release following his incarceration. The sentence reflects a pattern of abuse, with George already carrying Missouri convictions for statutory sodomy, child molestation, and prior possession of CSAM.

The case unfolded after investigators discovered George sharing images and videos of child sexual abuse material online via a peer-to-peer network between March and July of 2023. A subsequent search of his devices revealed a larger cache of depraved content. George pleaded guilty, acknowledging his role in the distribution.

Beyond prison, George will be required to pay $36,000 in restitution to the victims depicted in the material. He will also be a registered sex offender for life, adhering to both federal and state regulations upon release. The investigation was a joint effort by the FBI and Kansas City Police Department.

This prosecution falls under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative focused on combating the exploitation of children. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison D. Dunning led the case, highlighting the ongoing fight against online child abuse.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice