Ft. Smith Man Gets 100 Month Sentence for Transporting Child Pornography
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: January 23, 2013
A Fort Smith man has been sentenced to 100 months in prison for transporting over 100 videos of child pornography.
According to U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas Conner Eldridge, Bellah's sentence includes no possibility for parole and 15 years probation upon release from prison.
"With the internet and other computer technology that makes illicit material more readily available, our office must remain vigilant in the prosecution of crimes that involve child pornography. Those who victimize our children will be brought to justice," Eldridge said in a news release.
According to court documents, from January to April 2012, the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce conducted an investigation into the trade of child pornography over the internet in the Fort Smith area.
In April 2012, a federal search warrant was executed at Bellah's residence. At that time, law enforcement learned that he was traveling to Atlanta, Ga. Bellah was then located by Homeland Security in Alabama, at which time he confessed to having child pornography on the laptop computer that he was traveling with.
Bellah was subsequently charged in federal court with transportation, receipt and possession of child pornography on April 10, 2012. On Aug. 13, 2012, Bellah pleaded guilty to federal charges of transportation of child pornography.
At sentencing, Federal District Court Judge Holmes was presented evidence by the Government that Bellah had over 100 different videos of child pornography located on his computer when he was arrested.
This case was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce and Homeland Security Investigations.
According to U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas Conner Eldridge, Bellah's sentence includes no possibility for parole and 15 years probation upon release from prison.
"With the internet and other computer technology that makes illicit material more readily available, our office must remain vigilant in the prosecution of crimes that involve child pornography. Those who victimize our children will be brought to justice," Eldridge said in a news release.
According to court documents, from January to April 2012, the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce conducted an investigation into the trade of child pornography over the internet in the Fort Smith area.
In April 2012, a federal search warrant was executed at Bellah's residence. At that time, law enforcement learned that he was traveling to Atlanta, Ga. Bellah was then located by Homeland Security in Alabama, at which time he confessed to having child pornography on the laptop computer that he was traveling with.
Bellah was subsequently charged in federal court with transportation, receipt and possession of child pornography on April 10, 2012. On Aug. 13, 2012, Bellah pleaded guilty to federal charges of transportation of child pornography.
At sentencing, Federal District Court Judge Holmes was presented evidence by the Government that Bellah had over 100 different videos of child pornography located on his computer when he was arrested.
This case was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce and Homeland Security Investigations.
