Indianapolis – Federal Judge Tanya Walton Pratt sentenced Joel D. Hilton, 42, of Muncie to 50 years in federal prison for his role in the production and distribution of child pornography.
Minkler, Acting United States Attorney, emphasized the importance of protecting children from internet predators. ‘Producing and distributing pornography re-victimizes our children every time it is passed from one person to another,’ he stated.
Hilton was identified by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Hamilton County Metro Child Exploitation Task Force (HCMCETF) after they discovered a website used for trading child pornography. Hilton had produced pornographic images of sisters aged seven to eight, photographing them in sexually explicit activities. He posted these images on the website for his networking group.
Upon visiting Hilton’s home, investigators noted a tattoo similar to those depicted in internet pornographic photos, leading to his arrest and seizure of several electronic devices used in the crime.
Minkler praised HSI and the Hamilton County Metropolitan Child Exploitation Task Force for their swift action, which saved potential victims. Gary Hartwig, special agent in charge of HSI Chicago, echoed Minkler’s sentiments, emphasizing the need to protect children from such predators.
Senior Litigation Counsel Steven D. DeBrota noted Hilton’s multiple prior convictions for sex crimes and highlighted his facing lifetime supervised release after serving his sentence. This case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
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Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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