Buster Locklear, Transporting Child Pornography, Idaho 2018

In a disturbing case, Buster Locklear, 39, of Blackfoot, Idaho, pleaded guilty to transporting child pornography, a serious crime that has plagued the nation for years. This is not a victimless crime, and the consequences are severe. According to the plea agreement, Locklear's actions were reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children between February and August 2017.

The investigation revealed that Locklear had uploaded child pornography to various online utilities and websites, using his own name in the process. Federal agents reviewed his Google accounts and found a staggering 239 files containing child pornography, including 13 videos and 226 images. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as forensic analysis of Locklear's electronic devices uncovered a total of approximately 16,311 images and 306 videos of child pornography.

Investigations identified 1,603 images and 24 video files from Locklear's collection as belonging to 166 known series of child pornography images, where the victims have been previously identified by law enforcement. The severity of this crime cannot be overstated, and the consequences will be severe.

Locklear's plea agreement also revealed that he had registered for online utilities and websites in his own name, making him a prime target for law enforcement. The investigation was a collaborative effort between Homeland Security Investigations, the Blackfoot Police Department, the Bingham County Sheriff's Office, and the Idaho Department of Correction.

The charge of transporting child pornography is punishable by 5 to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of five years to life. In this case, Locklear's sentencing is set for August 27, 2018, before U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye at the federal courthouse in Pocatello.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. As part of this project, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General's Office partner to marshal federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

Locklear's actions have severe consequences, and his punishment will be a deterrent to others who would engage in similar crimes. The nation must remain vigilant in the fight against child pornography and sexual exploitation.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-id/pr/two-east-idaho-men-plead-guilty-separate-cases-transportation-child-pornography