Security News: Utah Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Receiving Child Pornography

Source: United States Department of Justice News

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Provo, Utah man was sentenced to federal prison today for receiving child pornography.

Jeremy David Croskey, 48, was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison and 15 years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, in April 2019, special agents from FBI Portland’s Child Exploitation Task Force (CETF) began working with detectives from the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office to investigate sexually explicit messages Croskey sent to a minor victim. FBI traced Croskey’s messages to his home in Provo where they executed a search warrant and seized digital devices containing child pornography.

In May 2020, Croskey was also charged in Utah County, Utah, with illegally possessing a firearm, controlled substance, and drug paraphernalia. In September 2020, Croskey was indicted in Yamhill County Circuit Court on six counts of first-degree sexual abuse.

On March 29, 2022, Croskey pleaded guilty in federal court to receipt of child pornography. Croskey’s plea was jointly negotiated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, the Yamhill County District Attorney’s Office, and the Utah County Attorney’s Office, resolving all three of his criminal cases.

U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office and the Provo Police Department.  It was prosecuted by Natalie K. Wight, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

FBI Portland’s CETF conducts sexual exploitation investigations, many of them undercover, in coordination with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. CETF is committed to locating and arresting those who prey on children as well as recovering and assisting victims of sex trafficking and child exploitation.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. Child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, child victims suffer re-victimization each time the image of their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s website at www.missingkids.org.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.