A Decatur, Illinois man, Brian R. Lewis, 46, received a sentence of 63 months in prison on March 4, 2025. This will be followed by six years of supervised release for possessing child pornography.
Lewis was found guilty after a jury trial held in Peoria, Illinois in the fall of 2023.
During the sentencing hearing before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael M. Mihm, evidence was presented showing that investigators discovered images of child pornography on Lewis's cell phone in July 2020. The investigation began following a CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Among the images were six known victims from previous cases.
Judge Mihm ordered Lewis to pay $7,000 in restitution to two victims and mandated that he register as a sex offender.
Possession of child pornography carries statutory penalties including up to ten years imprisonment, five years to life of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000.
The case was investigated by the Decatur Police Department as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Special Assistant United States Attorney Shannon O’Brien and Assistant United States Attorney Sierra Senor-Moore represented the government during prosecution.