Michael James Hidlebaugh, Child Pornography, Iowa 2020

Perry Man Faces Justice for Sickening Crime

In a move aimed at protecting the community from the scourge of child pornography, a Perry man has been sentenced to federal prison for his involvement in the heinous crime.

Michael James Hidlebaugh, 38, of Perry, was sentenced to 97 months in prison on September 17, 2020, for Receipt of Child Pornography, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.

The disturbing case began in September 2017 when law enforcement received an investigative lead from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that images of child pornography had been uploaded to Hidlebaugh’s email account.

Following further investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hidlebaugh’s Perry residence in May 2018, where they seized multiple electronic devices containing hundreds of images and videos of child pornography.

The evidence showed that from July 2016 to April 2018, Hidlebaugh received child pornography, sparking outrage and a sense of relief that justice has been served.

As part of his sentence, Hidlebaugh was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term, pay $21,000 in restitution, and comply with sex offender registry requirements upon release.

This case highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation in the fight against child exploitation. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force commend the bravery of those who reported this crime, bringing Hidlebaugh to justice.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa has worked tirelessly to ensure that perpetrators like Hidlebaugh are held accountable for their actions.

Michael James Hidlebaugh’s crime is a stark reminder of the need for continued efforts to combat child pornography and protect our children.

The Grimy Times urges our readers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/perry-man-sentenced-federal-prison-child-pornography-offense