An Indiana man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for crimes involving child exploitation. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations Nashville, and Sheriff Tyler DeArmond of the Christian County Sheriff's Office.
Court documents revealed that Jason Webster, a 30-year-old resident of Lafayette, Indiana, received a 25-year federal prison term followed by supervised release for life. He was charged with online enticement of a minor, attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, and receipt of child sexual abuse material. It is noted that there is no parole available within the federal system.
The investigation was conducted by the HSI Bowling Green Field Office and the Christian County Sheriff's Office. Assistance came from various offices including the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Indiana and several Homeland Security Investigations field offices located in Hammond and Indianapolis, Indiana. The Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office also contributed to the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus from the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office led the prosecution.
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 nationwide. The project involves collaboration among federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims. Further details on Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc.