A Jackson County man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison after admitting to attempting to receive child pornography and preying on a 13-year-old minor. Connor Anthony Putillion, 23, of Ripley, West Virginia, pleaded guilty in January 2019 to one count of attempted receipt of child pornography, culminating in a harsh federal sentence handed down today.
U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart wasted no words in condemning the crime. “These are horrendous crimes,” Stuart said. “Guys like Putillion that prey on innocent children need to be locked up.” The case, prosecuted under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood, underscores the federal government’s aggressive stance against child sexual exploitation.
Court documents reveal Putillion repeatedly pressured a 13-year-old girl to send sexually explicit photos through Snapchat. Though she never complied, his predatory behavior extended beyond digital harassment—he admitted to driving the minor from West Virginia to Virginia, where he groped her over her clothing. The act revealed a disturbing pattern of physical and digital predation.
Investigators discovered at least one video of suspected child pornography on Putillion’s cell phone, deepening concerns about the scope of his exploitation. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department led the investigation, with support from federal partners, illustrating the collaborative effort required to dismantle such cases.
Upon completing his eight-year sentence, Putillion will face 25 years of federal supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender for life. U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence, emphasizing the need for accountability and long-term monitoring to protect potential future victims.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Emily Wasserman handled the prosecution. The case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide DOJ initiative targeting child sexual abuse. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/psc. Follow updates at @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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