Harry Fred Wells, a 54-year-old resident of Follansbee, West Virginia, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for possession of child pornography. The sentencing took place in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Court documents and statements revealed that Wells attracted the attention of investigators after engaging in inappropriate communications with a minor on social media. A subsequent search of his home and phone uncovered child pornography involving children under the age of 12.
Following his prison term, Wells will be subject to ten years of supervised release. The Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation into the case.
The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Conklin. U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided over the proceedings.