Former cheerleading coach, Leonard Bernard Lewis, 33, of Seattle, was sentenced today to nine years in prison for transporting child pornography. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour in Seattle, also includes ten years of supervised release following his prison term.
According to records filed in the case, Lewis pleaded guilty in February 2019, admitting to transporting images of child rape and abuse on his personal electronic devices during a trip from Seattle to London on March 1, 2018. His detour through child exploitation came to light when a United Kingdom Border Force Officer examined his cell phone at Gatwick Airport. More than 5,000 images and 2,000 video files of child pornography were found on Lewis’ electronic devices.
Despite being a registered sex offender since 2012 due to a prior conviction for possession of child pornography, Lewis managed to work as a cheer coach at a local gymnastics facility between 2016 and 2018. He used a relative’s Social Security Number to pass the facility’s background check, hiding his registered sex offender status.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson noted in her sentencing memo that Lewis continued to seek out images of child rape and abuse after his initial conviction, supporting an industry based on the sexual exploitation of children. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Gregson, a Senior King County Deputy Prosecutor designated for federal child exploitation crimes.
Leonard Bernard Lewis faces the heavy sentence as a stern reminder of the consequences for those who traffic in child pornography and exploit the innocence of the young.
Source: DOJ USAO | State: Washington
Related Federal Cases
- Olympia Sex Predator Convicted of Child Pornography · Washington
- Kelso Predator Lee Gets 25 Years for Child Porn · Washington
- Auburn Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Child Rape Images Distribution · Washington
- Bellevue Predator: 9 Years for Child Porn Empire · Iowa
- Belfair PTA President Sentenced for Child Rape Videos · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News