A Decatur, Illinois man, Brian R. Lewis, 46, has been sentenced to 63 months in prison for possessing child pornography. The sentencing took place on March 4, 2025, and will be followed by six years of supervised release.
Lewis was found guilty after a jury trial held in Peoria, Illinois in the fall of 2023. During the sentencing hearing before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael M. Mihm, evidence was presented showing that investigators discovered Lewis with a cellphone containing images of child pornography in July 2020. The investigation began with a CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The images found included six known victims from previous cases.
Judge Mihm ordered Lewis to pay $7,000 in restitution to two victims and mandated that he register as a sex offender.
The statutory penalties for possession of child pornography include up to 10 years' imprisonment, five years to life of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000.
The case was investigated by the Decatur Police Department as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Special Assistant United States Attorney Shannon O’Brien and Assistant United States Attorney Sierra Senor-Moore prosecuted the case.
