Dubuque County man sentenced to 9 years in federal prison for child porn

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Dubuque County man who distributed child pornography was sentenced Monday to nine years in federal prison.

Christopher Charles Smith, 34, of Asbury, pleaded guilty in January in U.S. District Court to one count of distribution of child pornography.

According to the plea agreement, Smith admitted he used a messaging service to communicate with others and trade child pornography over the internet. In October of 2022, Smith distributed three videos of child pornography to an undercover law enforcement officer.

U.S. District Chief Judge C.J. Williams, during sentencing, also ordered Smith to serve eight years of supervised release following his prison term.

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.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Reinert and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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