Matthew R. Molsen United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska
Robert Blessing, a 28-year-old resident of Fremont, Nebraska, was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison for distributing child pornography. The sentencing took place on March 20, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., presided over the case. Following his imprisonment, Blessing will undergo six years of supervised release and has been ordered to pay $3,500 in restitution to each of four identified victims.
The investigation began when Medialab/KIK reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that a KIK user uploaded a video containing child pornography on June 29, 2023. The associated IP address led investigators to Blessing's residence in Fremont. A search warrant allowed access to Blessing’s KIK account where it was confirmed he sent the incriminating video.
Further action on October 5, 2023, saw the Nebraska State Patrol executing a search warrant at Blessing’s home. Electronic devices were seized and examined forensically. Investigators discovered over 1,917 image files and 26 video files depicting child pornography on these devices.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse online. The project involves collaboration between U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), pooling federal, state, and local resources for more effective law enforcement efforts against internet-based child exploitation.
The Nebraska State Patrol conducted the investigation leading to this conviction.
