Brian Robert Harling, Possession of Child Pornography, Fort Myers F…

Fort Myers, Florida – In a brutal blow to the pedophile ring that preys on children, Brian Robert Harling (58, Fort Myers) was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography.

Harrowing details of Harling’s conviction emerged as U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell handed down the stiff sentence. The jury had found him guilty on December 3, 2014, a date that will forever be etched in the minds of justice-seekers across the nation.

According to the chilling testimony from the trial, Harling’s downfall began when a new tenant at his former residence stumbled upon three thumb drives containing child porn. The tenant and her mother reported the discovery, leading to the uncovering of two additional thumb drives hidden in the molding of a closet. The police investigation revealed approximately 3,000 images and 35 videos depicting the heinous exploitation of children.

Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa, emphasized the gravity of the situation: “Unfortunately, every time a photo or video of an innocent child being sexually exploited is viewed, that victim is violated again. We owe it to the children affected by these cases to work tirelessly to seek out these predators and ultimately bring them to justice.”

This case was a collaborative effort between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Fort Myers Police Department, with additional support from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Cape Coral Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava prosecuted the case with relentless dedication.

Harling’s sentence is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information on this crucial effort, visit www.justice.gov/psc.