A former U.S. Air Force airman, Jacob Christian Butler, has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. The sentence was handed down after Butler, 33, from Augusta, pleaded guilty to the charge. Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced the sentencing.
U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall also mandated that Butler register as a sex offender and serve 15 years of supervised release following his prison term. It is noted that there is no parole in the federal system.
“Possessing child pornography perpetuates the victimization of child sexual abuse survivors,” stated U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to protect our most vulnerable citizens.”
Court documents revealed that Butler was an Airman First Class with a high security clearance at Fort Eisenhower when a prohibited cellular device was detected on him by a security system at a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF). Security personnel seized the phone.
Upon investigation, multiple images of child sexual abuse were found on the device. Further searches at Butler’s residence uncovered additional devices containing hundreds of similar images and videos.
Judge Hall has determined that restitution is owed to victims identified in these images but has delayed finalizing this decision pending further investigation.
“This prosecution is another example of law enforcement working together to protect our children,” said FBI Atlanta Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brian Ozden. “FBI Atlanta will continue to pursue predators and hold them accountable for their actions.”
The case involved investigations by both the FBI and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason W. Blanchard alongside the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Counsel.
Individuals with information regarding suspected child sexual exploitation are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children via their hotline or website.