Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
Roger Strickland, a 62-year-old resident of Cherokee, Iowa, pled guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography on April 25, 2025. The guilty plea was entered in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa.
During the plea hearing, evidence revealed that Strickland had been in possession of child pornography from June 2022 through May 2023. A search of Strickland's home on May 25, 2023, led to the discovery of incriminating evidence. Agents inquired who at the residence was responsible for downloading the material, to which Strickland responded, "It’s me." Law enforcement later found that despite being under investigation, Strickland continued to receive and possess child pornography from August 2023 to February 2024. Authorities discovered over 225 videos and 8,000 images in total on Strickland's devices. The material included content portraying sadistic or masochistic conducts, and featured prepubescent children, infants, and toddlers.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. This program brings together federal, state, and local resources to address these issues and work toward the apprehension and prosecution of offenders, as well as the rescue of victims. More details about the initiative and internet safety education are available on the Department of Justice's website.
Strickland awaits sentencing, which will be scheduled after the preparation of a presentence report, before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. He remains in custody under the U.S. Marshals Service. Each count carries a maximum possible sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a minimum of five years of supervised release post-incarceration.
