Joshua James Just, Child Pornography, Nebraska 2017

Funk, Nebraska resident Joshua James Just, 39, has been sentenced to 66 months in prison for possessing child pornography. United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced the sentence on January 20, 2017, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard, who also ordered Just to serve an additional 7 years on supervised release and register as a sex offender. Just will also have to pay a $1,000.00 fine.

The investigation into Just’s activities began in March 2015, when an investigator with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office observed an IP address with child pornography files available for sharing. Further investigation determined that the physical location and subscriber of the internet service was Joshua Just at his residence in Funk, Phelps County, Nebraska.

Investigators made a direct connection with the IP address in December 2014 and downloaded several digital files. One of these files, which was 10 minutes, 2 seconds in length, depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct as defined by federal law. Two additional files were also viewed, both of which contained similar images of child pornography involving prepubescent minors.

A search warrant was executed on Just’s residence, and items of computer equipment were seized. The examination of Just’s computer revealed more than 22,761 videos and image files, 209 of which were categorized as “files of interest” related to past child pornography investigations.

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. The project marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). For more information about the project, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.

Just’s sentence is a reminder of the importance of combating child exploitation and abuse. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and bring you updates as more information becomes available.

This is a developing story, and we will provide further information as it becomes available.

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