Former Linn County reserve deputy sheriff sentenced to 12 years for child porn

CEDAR RAPIDS — A former Linn County reserve deputy sheriff, who a prosecutor said was “committed to obtaining as much child pornography as he could” — over 160,000 images — was sentenced Friday to 12 years in federal prison.

Gordon Grabau, 51, of Marion, pleaded last October to one count of receiving child pornography.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Morfitt, in arguing for an enhancement resisted by Grabau, said Grabau knowingly distributed child pornography to others on the internet because of his background as a computer technician. He was using peer-to-peer software, he did it over many years (2014 to 2021) and used many electronic devices to download and store images.

U.S. District Judge C.J. Williams gave Grabau slightly less prison time as what the advisory sentencing guideline recommended based on psychological struggles of being sexually abused as a child and being diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. The judge had concerns that Grabau is “highly likely” to reoffend because of his “obsession.”

The judge also pointed out that this is a serious offense and the victims are real children who have been sexually abused and continue to be victimized in images and videos shared on the internet.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children identified 35 known victims in the child pornography found on Grabau’s devices.

Grabau, during sentencing, said he took responsibility and apologized to the victims, court and the public for his actions.

He seemed to blame his anxiety for his actions and said technological advances have made people more detached from reality. He said his problem started with an “accidental pop-up” and then, instead of him being a positive force — serving as a reserve officer for 21 years — it “manifested” into something negative.

Williams ordered Grabau to serve five years of supervised release following his prison time and comply with the sex offender registration requirements.

The ruling on restitution will be determined later because 11 of the 35 victims asked for notification — meaning they may request restitution but just found out their images were identified. The judge may set another hearing for restitution if necessary.

During a July 1, 2021, search of Grabau’s Marion home, officers seized numerous digital storage devices, such as hard drives and thumb drives that contained over 160,000 files of child pornography.

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner was at Grabau’s residence during the search to retrieve any items belonging to the county, such as clothing and equipment, an FBI agent testified in July during Grabau’s detention hearing.

During the plea, Grabau admitted those files included material involving children under the age of 12. The material also included images portraying sadistic and masochistic conduct.

Gardner said after Grabau was indicted he was immediately placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation. The administrative leave prohibited Grabau from participating in any departmental operations and department-sponsored activities, including extra jobs and the use of any departmental resources.

On July 17, 2021, Grabau submitted his letter of resignation from the voluntary position. He had been with the department since 2000.

Reserve deputies assist deputies in routine activities, such as traffic and crowd control and court security. In most cases, they have the power to arrest.

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