Crime Strikes Again: Nevada Man Sentenced for Child Pornography
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A disturbing case has come to light in the Ozark region, as a man was sentenced in federal court today for receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet.
Ben Culbertson, 56, of Nevada, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 262 months in federal prison without parole. Culbertson has been detained in federal custody since his arrest in October 2016.
According to court documents, Culbertson came to the attention of law enforcement after distributing images of child pornography (including some victims likely under the age of 8 years old) over the Internet. Culbertson, who was previously convicted of two counts of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child, admitted to investigators that he received and distributed images of child pornography on multiple occasions.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force.
The case marks another victory for Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
Culbertson’s sentence serves as a stark reminder of the severity of the crime and the consequences of perpetuating it. The community can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that justice has been served in this case.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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