Iowa City man to serve 30 years for producing child porn

A 47-year-old Iowa City man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison Wednesday for producing child pornography of a girl who he babysat for several years.

Arthur Neal pleaded guilty to production of child pornography in January. He was sentenced today to the maximum guideline sentence based on the facts and circumstances of the crime, which merited enhancements based on his sadistic or masochistic conduct, his repeated sexual abuse of the child and his lengthy criminal history.

Neal used an object during the abuse and the photos were sadistic or violent in nature, U.S. District Chief Judge Linda Reade ruled. Neal poses a ”significant danger to the community and to children.”

The victim, who is in a residential treatment program, phoned into court during the sentencing to give a victim's impact statement.

She told the court she started using drugs because she can't deal with the sexual abuse she went through with Neal. She said she's still scared he is “out there” to hurt her.

“I really did trust him,” the victim said.

The sexual abuse started at age 10 and continued until she was 14, she said. Neal would get her drunk and “use her. It makes me so angry inside. I can't stand it.”

Neal, who denied the sexual abuse,  only spoke a few words during the sentencing.

“I'm sorry for the whole mess. That's all I can say,” he said.