POCATELLO — A Blackfoot man was found guilty by a federal jury last week in a child pornography case that exposed the disturbing reach of digital predation in East Idaho. Joseph Hornof, 41, stood motionless in court on January 25 as the verdict was read: guilty on two counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession. The trial, which spanned three days in Pocatello, revealed a pattern of criminal behavior stretching back over a decade, including a prior conviction for a sex offense against a child in Bannock County in 2009.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye presided over the trial, where federal prosecutors presented digital evidence linking Hornof to the sharing and storage of illicit material involving minors. The jury’s decision triggers a sentencing enhancement due to his prior conviction, ensuring a stiffer penalty under federal guidelines. Sentencing is pending, but federal authorities have made clear they will push for maximum accountability.
Just one day later, Shawn Chase Cody, 41, of Pocatello, was handed an 80-year prison sentence for production and possession of child pornography. The case against Cody unfolded after investigators received a tip in August 2019 revealing years of sexual abuse against multiple children. Victims told law enforcement that Cody recorded his crimes. During a search of his home, agents recovered videos of the assaults on his phone and computer, along with 2,259 still images and 53 videos of child pornography downloaded online.
On January 31, Bobby Clee Roberts, 53, of Rupert, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for possession of child pornography. A forensic search of Roberts’ devices uncovered 19,200 files of illegal material. The volume and nature of the content underscored what federal prosecutors call a growing crisis of digital child exploitation in rural communities.
U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit, who announced the outcomes, vowed relentless pursuit of offenders. “My office will continue to aggressively prosecute predators who prey upon children,” Hurwit said. “Those who harm the most vulnerable members of our society must be held accountable to the full extent of the law.” He praised the multi-agency collaboration that led to the arrests and convictions, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Idaho Falls and several county sheriff’s offices across the region.
These cases were prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation. The program unites federal, state, and local agencies to track down offenders, dismantle networks, and rescue victims. “It’s impressive to see the commitment and the long hours that attorneys and investigators put into these complex investigations,” Hurwit added. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Key Facts
- State: Idaho
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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