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Cedar Rapids Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting Children and Possessing Child Pornography
A despicable crime has shaken the community of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Dawson Sanderson, a 24-year-old resident, has admitted to exploiting minors and producing child pornography in 2021.
Dawson Sanderson, age 24, of Cedar Rapids, was convicted of one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography. The shocking allegations include Sanderson getting minors to produce and send depictions of sexually explicit conduct.
The case unfolded as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the government 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.
Dawson Sanderson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, $67,200 in special assessments, and supervised release for five years to life following any imprisonment. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.
Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel is handling the prosecution, while the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Sanderson remains in the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood and Internet safety education, visit the government website at www.usdoj.gov/psc.
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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