A Council Bluffs man, Todd David Matheson, has been sentenced to 210 months in federal prison for receiving child pornography. The sentencing took place on January 21, 2025.

Court documents reveal that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received CyberTips about an account linked to Matheson, aged 63, which contained files of child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement conducted searches at Matheson's residences in Council Bluffs and Omaha, seizing electronic devices. A forensic examination confirmed that these devices were used by Matheson to receive and distribute images and videos of child sexual abuse material.

Following his imprisonment, Matheson will serve a five-year term of supervised release. He is also required to register as a sex offender. Restitution for the victims will be determined later. In the federal system, there is no parole.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal from the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentencing. The investigation was carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Child Exploitation Task Force along with police departments from Council Bluffs and Omaha.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. It aims to enhance coordination among federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.