Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
Paul William Flett, a 44-year-old resident of Humboldt, Iowa, has pleaded guilty to the charge of sexual exploitation of a child. The plea was entered on January 23, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa.
According to a plea agreement, Flett admitted to sending links and images of child pornography to underage girls and soliciting them for images and videos. On June 6, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence. During a consensual interview, Flett confessed to hiding his phone when authorities arrived because he anticipated their visit. Forensic analysis of his iPhone 12, computer, and Kik account revealed 16 videos and 60 images of child pornography depicting sadistic or masochistic conduct involving prepubescent children, infants, and toddlers.
Sentencing will be scheduled after the preparation of a presentence report by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Following his guilty plea, Flett was taken into custody by the United States Marshal and will remain detained until sentencing. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison with the possibility of up to 30 years' imprisonment. Additionally, he could be fined $250,000 and face supervised release ranging from five years to life following imprisonment.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program is led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices along with the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. It coordinates federal, state, and local resources to locate and prosecute individuals who exploit children while also working to identify victims for rescue efforts.
Further information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc. Resources on internet safety education are also available on this site under the “resources” tab.
