Fairbanks Man Indicted on Child Pornography Charges

 Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Jason Patzke, 47, has been indicted on charges of receipt and distribution of child pornography. Patzke was arrested on Feb 22, 2021 and was arraigned on the charges this morning in federal court. 

The indictment alleges that on or about June 3, 2018, Patzke knowingly received and distributed child pornography involving prepubescent minors. Additionally, Patzke has prior State of Alaska felony convictions for Sexual Abuse of a Minor and First Degree Indecent Exposure involving minors.    

If convicted, Patzke could face up to 40 years for the charges listed in the indictment. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Child Exploitation Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Doty.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In May 2006, DOJ launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.