Columbia Man Accused of Child Porn Receipt

Columbia, IL – Steven D. Blosser, 40, of Columbia, was arraigned on February 24, 2017, for federal charges related to the receipt of child pornography, according to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois.

The indictment asserts that Blosser knowingly received child pornography between September 16, 2015, and February 19, 2016. Four image files are listed in the indictment as evidence against him.

Scheduled for trial on May 1, 2015, Blosser faces a potential penalty of not less than five years to up to twenty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and supervised release terms ranging from five years to life. It is important to note that an indictment merely signifies the filing of federal charges; Blosser is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative since 2006, aims to combat child sexual exploitation. The program coordinates efforts across federal, state, and local agencies. For more information on Project Safe Childhood and internet safety education, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Columbia Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Springfield Child Exploitation Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott has been assigned to handle the prosecution.

RELATED: DeKalb man charged for threatening U.S. Representative

RELATED: Arkansas Man Charged in Jan. 6 Capitol Tunnel Brawl