Tucson Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Production of Child Pornography

Defendant Worked as a Babysitter and Photographer for Children's Sporting Events

TUCSON, AZ—Christopher Flynt, 28, of Tucson, was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in prison for production of child pornography by U.S. District Court Judge John M. Roll. Flynt was convicted following his guilty plea March 25, 2010.

An investigation into distribution of child pornography over the Internet revealed that on August 28, 2008, Flynt had received several images of child pornography from another individual.

On October 1, 2008, a search warrant was executed at Flynt’s home resulting in the seizure of his computer. A subsequent forensic examination confirmed Flynt possessed the child pornography sent over the Internet, along with over 300 additional images of child pornography.

“This individual used his employment positions as a babysitter and child photographer to indulge in the illicit child pornography industry and betrayed the trust of those he cared for and their parents,” said U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke. “He will now be under law enforcement’s radar for the rest of his life so that he does not get another opportunity to victimize children. I want to thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their work, along with the Orange County (California) Sheriff's Department for their collaboration in this investigation.”

“The FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office are committed to combating child pornography. This criminal activity against the most vulnerable, our children will not be tolerated and those who participate in this type of activity will be held accountable to the full extent of the law,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Nathan Gray, Phoenix Division.

At the same time Flynt produced, possessed, and traded child pornography, he was working as a babysitter for three minor boys and operated a business photographing children’s sporting events. One of the images on Flynt’s computer was of the youngest boy Flynt babysat.

The investigation revealed that Flynt coerced the boy, who was 8 years old at the time, into letting Flynt take a lewd photograph of him.

Flynt had previously been employed by an elementary school and the YMCA in the Tucson area.

Flynt will be placed on lifetime supervised release after he’s released from prison. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and to complete a sex offender treatment program.

The investigation leading to the conviction was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Orange County (California) Sheriff’s Department. The prosecution was handled by Angela Woolridge, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson.

CASE NUMBER: CR 09-0279-TUC-JMR (DTF)

RELEASE NUMBER: 2010-265(Flynt)