Halston Ray Van Westen, Possession of Child Pornography, Iowa 2022

Des Moines, IA – In a disturbing case of child exploitation, Halston Ray Van Westen, a 22-year-old from Story City, Iowa, was sentenced to five years in prison for his involvement in a child pornography case.

On Thursday, November 10, 2022, Van Westen, a resident of Story City, pleaded guilty to a charge of Possession of Child Pornography.

According to court documents, Van Westen knowingly possessed visual depictions of child pornography, including 390 images and 290 videos, on or about October 8, 2021. The depictions included minors who had not attained the age of 12 years of age, and the visual depictions had been shipped in interstate or foreign commerce by any means including by computer.

Van Westen used his cellphone to commit the crime, which is a serious offense that can have severe consequences for both the perpetrator and the victims.

The case was investigated by the Story County Sheriff’s Department, in conjunction with the Iowa Crimes Against Children Task Force.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal announced the sentencing, which is part of the U.S. Department of Justice's “Project Safe Childhood” initiative. This nationwide effort aims to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children by combining law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action, and public awareness.

Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/story-county-man-sentenced-child-pornography-offense