Lincoln Park Man Sentenced to 200 Months for Distributing Images of Child Sexual Exploitation Via Peer-to-Peer Network

April 23, 2010 - Barbara L. McQuade, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, announced that Matthew Tyler, 48, of Lincoln Park, Michigan, was sentenced in federal district court in Ann Arbor Wednesday for his conviction for distribution of child pornographic material in violation of 18 United States Code 2252(a)(4). Tyler was sentenced yesterday by the Honorable John C. O'Meara to 200 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release.

The following facts were discussed with the court at the time of the guilty plea and during sentencing elocution:

For several months prior to his arrest in 2009, Defendant Tyler engaged in peer-to-peer file sharing through an online program that allowed him to amass and distribute an extensive child pornography collection. Tyler, a twice convicted sex-offender, had previously spent over 13 years in prison for offenses related to the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. The distributed and traded images contained depictions of the sexual abuse of children as young as 3 years old. Others involved images of bound children and bestiality.

Tyler was apprehended following an investigation by an undercover FBI agent who had located the material Tyler made available via the Internet. At the time of his arrest, Tyler maintained a collection of over 1,000 child pornographic images and child pornographic movies.

The defendant, had been previously sentenced for a conviction of second criminal sexual conduct, a 15-year felony.

The prosecution of Mr. Tyler as a prolific member of the marketplace for these images recording depraved sexual acts with children, and Judge O'Meara's concern with the danger that Mr. Tyler represents to the community, provide a strong foundation for a sentence of 17 years' incarceration. It is our belief that these just sentences can and should provide the deterrence to others who would consider traveling this road. The United States Attorney's Office will pursue, and obtain, an appropriate yet severe sentence. We will do our best to keep the internet from continuing to be a haven for those who exploit children"

McQuade praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Innocent Images group as well as Special Agent Christopher Pennisi, whose dedicated efforts have assisted in the prosecution of this defendant and the curtailing of this demonstrated predator who was a participant in the continuing Internet-based exploitation of children.

Assistant United States Attorney John O'Brien prosecuted case for the United States.