A Council Bluffs man has been sentenced to 210 months in federal prison for receiving child pornography. Todd David Matheson, 63, was identified through CyberTips received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, linking him to files containing child sexual abuse material.
Law enforcement executed searches at Matheson's residences in Council Bluffs and Omaha, seizing electronic devices. A forensic examination confirmed that Matheson used these devices to receive and distribute images and videos of child sexual abuse material.
Following his prison term, Matheson will serve a five-year supervised release period. He is also required to register as a sex offender. Restitution for victims will be determined later. The federal system does not allow parole.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal from the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentence. The investigation involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Child Exploitation Task Force, Council Bluffs Police Department, and Omaha Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project involves U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section working with various agencies to apprehend offenders and rescue victims. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.