Joel D. Hilton, Child Pornography Production, Indiana 2014

A Muncie man has been handed a significant prison sentence for his role in the production and distribution of child pornography.

Joel D. Hilton, 42, of Muncie, was sentenced to 50 years in federal court for his crimes, which were uncovered by investigators in July 2014.

According to authorities, Hilton was using a website to trade child pornography with others, and many of the images he shared were taken in Muncie, Indiana. The victims were identified as sisters, between seven and eight years old.

Hilton had produced the pornographic images by photographing the victims in sexually explicit activities and then posting them online. Investigators were able to track him down and arrest him after discovering a tattoo on his hand that matched one depicted in internet pornographic photos.

Law enforcement also confiscated several electronic devices used to produce and distribute the pornography. Minkler praised the investigative agencies, noting that the arrest was made less than six hours after authorities learned of Hilton's identity, potentially saving many more victims.

The case was jointly investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Hamilton County Metropolitan Child Exploitation Task Force. This case underscores the importance of cooperation across international boundaries in the fight against child exploitation.

Joel D. Hilton was charged with producing and distributing child pornography, and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. He also faces lifetime supervised release after serving his sentence. Hilton has multiple prior convictions for sex crimes, which was taken into consideration during sentencing.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/muncie-man-sentenced-50-years-production-child-pornography