Huntington Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Child Pornography

A 66-year-old Cabell County resident has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possessing and distributing child pornography, a crime that has shaken the community.

John D. Hayes was found guilty of knowingly possessing child pornography and attempting to distribute child pornography after a bench trial in March 2014. Authorities discovered that child pornography was being shared via a peer-to-peer network called Frostwire between March 17 and April 28, 2012.

The investigation revealed that Hayes’ computer contained thousands of pornographic images and videos of children. A portable USB drive seized from his home was also found to contain the child pornography.

Hayes’ previous conviction in 1979 for second-degree sexual assault of two minor girls aged 10 and 12 has raised concerns about the severity of his punishment.

U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin emphasized the importance of prosecuting individuals who perpetuate the exploitation and abuse of innocent children. ‘Every successful child pornography prosecution makes our communities and our children safer,’ he said.

The investigation was conducted by the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with the assistance of the Huntington Police Department and the West Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Lisa Johnston were in charge of the prosecution.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.

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