Steven James Priore, a 41-year-old resident of Hedgesville, West Virginia, has been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children initially received a cyber tip regarding uploaded child pornography linked to an email address traced back to Priore. A subsequent search of his home led to the seizure of devices containing images and videos depicting child pornography.
In addition to the prison term, Priore has been ordered to pay $65,000 in restitution and will be subject to supervised release for life following his incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Crockett prosecuted the case on behalf of the government, with the investigation conducted by the West Virginia State Police.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project coordinates federal, state, and local resources to locate and prosecute individuals exploiting children via the Internet while also working to identify and rescue victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit Justice.gov/PSC.