Albert Douglas Ackley Sentenced to 20 Years for Child Porn Distribution

ALPINE, Texas — A 60-year-old Texas math teacher who used his position near children while trafficking in their abuse has been slammed with a 20-year federal prison sentence. Albert Douglas Ackley, of Valentine, Texas, was sentenced last week in federal court in Alpine on charges of distributing child sexual abuse material — a crime exposed by digital breadcrumbs he thought were invisible.

Court records show Ackley uploaded and shared ten files of child sexual abuse material through a mobile messaging app, files that were automatically flagged by the platform and routed to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. That alert triggered a forensic probe by Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Department of Public Safety, culminating in a search of Ackley’s home. Agents seized multiple electronic devices packed with prepubescent child sexual abuse material — evidence that sealed his fate.

At the time of his arrest on March 15, 2022, Ackley was teaching seventh through 12th-grade math at a local public school, placing him in daily contact with minors. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest and pleaded guilty on August 12, 2022, to one count of distribution of child pornography. The 20-year prison term is followed by 15 years of supervised release, during which he will be monitored for any repeat offenses.

“We will continue to vigorously prosecute those who distribute or create an illegal market for child pornography as they violate the sanctity and innocence of our children,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “We are grateful for our law enforcement partners, and to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, as we work together to protect our kids and hold these offenders accountable for the harm they cause in society.”

Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola of Homeland Security Investigations’ El Paso Division emphasized the precision of the investigation. “This sentence shows that HSI special agents are laser focused on doing our part to bring to justice those who victimize children. HSI is most appreciative of the collaborative partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety that is a force multiplier to combat this horrific crime of child exploitation.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Ellis and brought under Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation. The program unites federal, state, and local agencies to track, arrest, and convict offenders who exploit children online. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/psc.