Jedediah Waugh, Receipt of Child Pornography, AR, 2023

FAYETTEVILLE, AR – Jedediah Waugh, 43, of Farmington, Arkansas, will spend the next seven years in federal prison after being sentenced on one count of Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentence, handed down by the Honorable Timothy L. Brooks in the United States District Court in Fayetteville, also includes ten years of supervised release following his incarceration.

The case originated in December 2015, when Immigration and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (ICAC) began investigating the widespread distribution of child pornography across peer-to-peer networks. Investigators traced a computer sharing illicit images back to Waugh’s internet connection. A subsequent search warrant executed at Waugh’s residence revealed his admission to downloading and receiving the disturbing content.

A forensic examination of Waugh’s hard drive painted a sickening picture. Investigators uncovered multiple images depicting female children, as young as eight and nine years old, engaged in sexually explicit acts with an adult male. The investigation quickly confirmed the severity of the crimes, leading to a federal grand jury indictment in May 2016. Waugh ultimately pleaded guilty to the charge in July of the same year.

“This sentence sends a clear message: those who exploit children online will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice,” stated Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. “Our office, along with our law enforcement partners, remains committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society.”

The investigation was spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations and the ICAC Taskforce, demonstrating the power of coordinated federal and local efforts in combating online exploitation. Assistant United States Attorney Denis Dean skillfully prosecuted the case, ensuring Waugh faced the consequences for his heinous actions.

This case was prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, a national Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project pools resources from federal, state, and local agencies to identify, apprehend, and prosecute offenders, as well as rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Court documents related to this case are available on the Public Access to Electronic Records Website at www.Pacer.gov.

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