James Keith, 42, of Siloam Springs, was sentenced to 15 years in prison Tuesday (May 6) for child pornography, according to a news release from Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas.
Keith was sentenced without a possibility of parole. He was also given a $25,000 fine and 15 years of supervised release following imprisonment on one count of receipt of child pornography.
United States District Court Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing in U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.
U. S. Attorney Eldridge stated, “Today’s sentence sends a strong message that our office will not rest until those that commit such vile acts against innocent children are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
He continued, “The number of videos and images found in this case is unsettling as each time those videos and images are downloaded or viewed, these children are re-victimized. This defendant, a registered sex offender, has now been brought to justice.”
Keith’s home was searched, and his computer was seized after a search warrant was issued for his residence. At the sentencing, authorities presented evidence that Keith told law enforcement he possessed about 70,000 images of child pornography, including some images that depicted minors as young as five years old being sexually assaulted, the news release states.
“Individuals who trade child pornography further the re-victimization of innocent children who’ve been subjected to sexual exploitation,” said HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Raymond R. Parmer Jr.
He continued, “This case shows HSI investigators are actively working to disrupt the trade of these illegal images, and also to identify and seek prosecution of the criminals who possess them.”
