FORT SMITH (KFSM) – A convicted Springdale sex offender was sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing child pornography, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas Conner Eldridge.
Alan Berger, 48, was sentenced on Tuesday (Sept. 30) in Fort Smith to 120 months in prison. Judge Paul K. Holmes III presided over the sentencing in United States District Court, the release states.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge stated, “The conduct of this previously convicted sex offender demonstrates his continued commission of crimes that victimize children. Every time a video or image involving sexual abuse of children is downloaded or viewed, those children are re-victimized. We will continue to aggressively prosecute cases such as this and hold those who commit crimes involving children accountable for their actions.”
On June 8, 2012, officers from U.S. Probation went to Berger’s residence and searched for contraband. During the search, authorities seized an external hard drive. A forensic examination on the hard drive conducted by Homeland Security revealed images of minors engaging in sex acts, the release states.
He was arrested shortly after the search, according to the release.
Berger pleaded guilty to possessing child porn on Jan. 17 and after the sentencing, Berger’s supervised release stemming from a previous conviction of enticement of minors to engage in sexual activity was also revoked, the release states.
