Gregory William Douglas McCormick, a 22-year-old from Mapleton, Iowa, has pled guilty to possession of child pornography in federal court in Sioux City. The plea agreement revealed that McCormick admitted to receiving, distributing, and possessing child pornography. During an interview with police, he confessed to having such content on his current cell phone as well as two older phones.
McCormick was found to have distributed images and videos of child pornography through the social media platform Kik. A forensic search uncovered a total of 120 images and seven videos on his devices and account. The material included depictions involving infants and toddlers, as well as sadistic and masochistic conduct.
Sentencing will be determined by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand following the preparation of a presentence report. McCormick is currently in custody under the supervision of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. He could face up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and supervised release ranging from five years to life after imprisonment.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse. This program utilizes resources from federal, state, and local levels to apprehend offenders and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc.