ROBERT D. THORSON, Child Pornography, Washington 2016

ROBERT D. THORSON, a 58-year-old former Des Moines, Washington resident, has been convicted of producing and possessing images of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.

A U.S. District Court jury delivered the guilty verdict after a three-day trial, during which jurors heard testimony about images found on THORSON’s phone, computer, thumb drives, and DVDs.

The case began when THORSON’s girlfriend called Des Moines police after finding sexually explicit images of minors on THORSON’s phone. The woman had been examining his phone, looking for evidence he was seeing other women, but instead, she discovered images of THORSON molesting young girls who resided in her home.

When investigators examined THORSON’s electronic devices, they found images showing THORSON disturbing the clothing and bedding of sleeping children so he could make sexually explicit photos. THORSON’s clothing, tattoos, and body parts appear in some of the images.

THORSON’s electronic devices also contained images from a hidden camera installed in a bathroom at the home that captured minor children using the bathroom and the shower. While THORSON was in custody, he sent letters to his former girlfriend threatening her and demanding she change her statements to police.

Production of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years in prison. Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez scheduled sentencing in the case for March 12, 2017.

The case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs and Special Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson.

Ms. Gregson is Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney specially designated to prosecute child exploitation cases in federal court. The guilty verdict is a significant step towards justice for the victims of THORSON’s heinous crimes.

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