BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - A Russell County, Kentucky, resident and former Casey County, Kentucky, teacher was sentenced in United States District Court by United States District Judge Greg N. Stivers on July 26, 2017, to 60 months in prison followed by a ten year period of supervised release and required to register as a sex offender announced United States Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr. There is no parole in the federal prison system.
“This is a horrific crime that can shake an entire community, especially when the perpetrator is a trusted teacher," stated U.S. Attorney Kuhn. “Safeguarding our most vulnerable citizens is among the most significant priorities of my Office and the Department of Justice."
According to the factual basis presented in the case, Timothy Ellis, 48, of Russell Springs, Kentucky, admitted to attempting to obtain child pornography between 2010 and April 7, 2013. Ellis used a cellular telephone and various social media applications to attempt to receive pornographic materials from a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Ellis engaged in this conduct while in Russell County, Kentucky and other places.
Assistant United States Jo E. Lawless prosecuted the case. The Russell Springs Police Department conducted the investigation.
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This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
