Tiffin man sentenced to 37 years for child porn, sex exploitation of toddler

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Tiffin man who directed and recorded his “paramour” sexually abusing her toddler was sentenced Tuesday to 37 years in federal prison.

Benjamin Paul Egli, 30, pleaded guilty Dec. 17, 2024 in U.S. District Court to one count each of conspiracy to sexually exploit a child and possession of child pornography.

Evidence at sentencing showed that Egli, during multiple incidents in 2023, participated in Snapchat and video calls with his lover, who lived in another state, while Egli was usually in North Liberty. During the calls Egli was recording, he directed the woman what to do with her child.

She also sent him photos of the illicit conduct. In addition, Egli also possessed hundreds of images of child pornography.

U.S. District Chief Judge C.J. Williams sentenced to Egli to serve five years of supervised release following his prison term and ordered him to pay $6,000 in victim restitution.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Egli is being held in custody by the U.S. Marshals Service until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Devra Hake and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Tipton Police Department and Joint Forensic Analysis Cyber Team.

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