Michael Scott, Distribution of Child Pornography, Nebraska 2025

Child Pornography Ring Busted in Rural Nebraska

Lesley A. Woods, United States Attorney, announced that Michael Scott, 60, of Murray, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 8, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for Distribution of Child Pornography. Scott, a Murray resident, faces a harsh reality after his involvement in a child pornography ring was uncovered by the Nebraska State Patrol.

The investigation began with a cybertip from Discord, a social media platform, which reported a user had uploaded two files depicting alleged child pornography. An investigator with the Nebraska State Patrol was able to view the images and confirm they were child pornography. The investigator then confirmed the phone number from the cybertip belonged to Scott at his address in Murray.

During a search of Scott’s residence, investigators recovered 14 electronic devices. A review of Scott’s cellphone found a total of 19,807 photos of child pornography and 5,126 videos of child pornography. In addition, investigators found at least seven images of child pornography uploaded to the Discord account, at least one of which was included in the cybertip.

The investigation also revealed a conversation on Discord where Scott sent at least one image of child pornography to another user on January 9, 2024. Investigators also located at least four files of child pornography that were uploaded to Discord on January 17, 2024. Scott confirmed the Discord account and username, phone number and email address all belonged to him.

In a consensual interview at the residence, Scott admitted to using his cell phone for viewing and trading child pornography. Scott’s actions have severe consequences, as he will spend 300 months, or 25 years, in prison, with no parole in the federal system. Following his release from prison, Scott will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. Scott was also ordered to pay $69,000 in restitution for his crimes.

Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006, aims to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. This case was brought as part of this initiative and was investigated by the Omaha FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Nebraska State Patrol.

The sentencing of Michael Scott is a reminder of the consequences of distributing child pornography. The Nebraska State Patrol and the Omaha FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force will continue to work together to bring those involved in child pornography to justice.

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