SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Eric Hedman, a 40-year-old chiropractor operating in Joplin, Missouri, will spend the next seven years in federal prison after being sentenced today for the abhorrent crime of receiving and distributing child pornography. U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool delivered the sentence, along with an additional ten years of supervised release following Hedman’s incarceration.
Hedman pleaded guilty on December 14, 2023, to the charges stemming from his distribution of deeply disturbing material. The investigation revealed that in July and August of 2022, Hedman used the Kik messenger app to send a video and a photograph depicting child pornography to two other users. These actions triggered Cybertipline Reports from Kik, alerting the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and subsequently, the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force.
Investigators didn’t stop there. A deep dive into Hedman’s multiple Kik accounts uncovered a sickening cache of 31 files containing child pornography. The images featured children as young as two years old. Log files further exposed the extent of Hedman’s depravity, showing he had transmitted this vile content to at least six other users within a mere two-day span – July 8th and 9th, 2022. The man was preying on children while running a legitimate business.
On December 6, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hedman’s residence, seizing his computer and cell phone. The digital evidence confirmed the scope of his crimes and provided crucial evidence for the prosecution. This wasn’t a case of passively receiving content; Hedman actively participated in its distribution, making him a direct threat to vulnerable children.
Following his release from prison, Hedman will be required to register as a sex offender – a lifelong mark of shame and a necessary measure to protect potential victims. He will be subject to both federal and state sex offender registration requirements, ensuring continued monitoring and accountability. This sentencing sends a clear message: those who exploit children will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher prosecuted the case, with the investigation led by the dedicated members of the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating the horrific epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. More information on Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc.
Related Federal Cases
- Holt Man Gets 8 Years for Child Porn · Texas
- Greinke Gets 8 Years for Child Porn Distribution · Missouri
- Branson EMT and Joplin Couple Indicted for Child Sex Exploitation · Missouri
- Independence Man Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Distribution · Illinois
- Columbia Man Indicted in Child Porn Case · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
