Sex offender sentenced to 40 years in prison

CEDAR RAPIDS - A teenager told a federal judge Thursday that what happened to her more than a year ago 'drastically” changed her life.

The girl said she is unable to maintain a relationship or trust anyone, has been 'labeled” and had to change schools more than once.

'My innocence was taken away,” she said.

The girl was one of several victims whom Kevin Jauron, 39, of Marion, sexually exploited. Jauron, a convicted sex offender, 'preyed” upon children he met online while pretending to be a teen, asking them to send him sexually explicit photos and videos and in some instances manipulating them into meeting him for sex.

U.S. District Chief Judge Linda Reade sentenced Jauron on Thursday to the maximum - 40 years in prison.

Jauron pleaded guilty in January to one count of production of child pornography and one count of committing a felony offense involving a minor while being required to register as a sex offender. He also will have to serve 15 years of supervised release after his prison term.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Deegan said the case had many aggravating circumstances, including the fact that there were five victims.

Deegan said many of the photos and videos displayed lascivious and sadistic behavior. He asked for the maximum sentence, saying Jauron was at risk to reoffend.

The victim who addressed the court Thursday said it was the first time she had spoken publicly about the incident.

'It takes a brave child to tell a judge the impact of this crime,” Reade said. 'I appreciate the courage it took and hopefully it will be part of the healing (process).”

Before being sentenced, Jauron said, ' ‘I'm sorry' isn't enough to take away the hurt I've caused.” He said if he could apologize to every victim he would. He also apologized to his family.

During a preliminary hearing in October, Marion Police Sgt. Lance Miller testified that two 15-year-old girls led police to Jauron, who not only solicited sex and explicit photos but also used fake identities to contact 200 other minors. Miller said investigators recovered numerous photos and videos of minor girls on Jauron's phone. Miller said students at Marion High School told a teacher about the two 15-year-olds who were solicited, and the investigation led to text messages, photos, videos and other alleged victims.

Jauron has a pending charge in Linn County of violating registering as a sex offender by providing false information. He will plead guilty June 25, according to Iowa Courts Online.