A federal jury in Minnesota has convicted a local man of advertising, distributing, and possessing child pornography, according to a recent court ruling.
Craig James Myran, 47, of Bemidji, Minnesota, was found guilty of two counts of advertising child pornography, one count of distributing child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography after a three-day trial.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Myran used an account with a unique username to make over a thousand posts on a dark web site dedicated to discussing and trafficking in child sexual abuse material. The FBI executed a search warrant on Myran’s apartment in Bemidji on Dec. 8, 2022, where they found numerous hard drives and a cell phone.
A forensic examination of the devices uncovered evidence tying Myran to his unique account on the dark web site, including files of the child sexual abuse material that he shared and requested on the website, as well as a message directed to his unique alias.
The evidence also revealed thousands of other images of child sexual abuse material. Myran faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on each count of advertising child pornography.
He also faces a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the count of distributing child pornography, and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the count of possessing child pornography.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger for the District of Minnesota, and Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Minneapolis Field Office is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney William G. Clayman of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Green for the District of Minnesota are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department.
Myran’s exact sentence has not been determined yet.
Defendant: Craig James Myran
Criminal Charges: Two counts of advertising child pornography, one count of distributing child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography
City and State: Bemidji, Minnesota
Exact Date: After a three-day trial in Minnesota court
Sentence or Outcome: Guilty verdict, pending sentencing
Related Federal Cases
- Danny James Heinrich, Child Pornography Receipt, Minnesota 2015 · Minnesota
- Kevin James Petroske, Child Pornography Production, Minnesota 2017 · Minnesota
- James Lester Paramore, Distribution of Child Pornography, Minnesota 2017 · Iowa
- Aviel Li Goodman, Receipt of Child Pornography, Minnesota 2024 · Washington
- Donald Thomas Perrin, Child Pornography Production, Minnesota 2023 · Minnesota
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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