A Montezuma man was sentenced on July 8 to 15 years in federal prison for receiving child pornography and 11 counts of cyber stalking. According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Jack James Erselius, 20, procured and created computer-generated child pornography images of 13 different victims under the age of 18.
Law enforcement seized electronic devices during a search of Erselius’ Story County residence. A forensic examination showed that Erselius used the devices to create AI-generated images containing child sexual abuse material depicting real girls with their clothes removed. Authorities said Erselius sent screenshots of satellite views of victims’ homes, family contact information, and live updates on victims’ locations to people online whom he solicited to stalk and rape the victims.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Erselius will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. He was also ordered to pay $5,979.46 in restitution and a special assessment of $5,000 under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The University of Iowa Police Department and Johnson County Joint Forensic Analysis Cyber Team investigated the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordination among federal, state, and local resources.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa handles civil and criminal cases for the United States with facilities in Des Moines, Davenport, and Council Bluffs; it operates under the United States Department of Justice with 24 prosecutors serving its district, according to its official website.