Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
Paul William Flett, a 44-year-old resident of Humbolt, Iowa, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for the sexual exploitation of a child. The sentencing took place on June 3, 2025, in Sioux City, Iowa. Flett had pled guilty to the charge on January 23, 2025.
The case evidence revealed that Flett distributed links and images of child pornography to underage girls and solicited them to send him images and videos. On June 6, 2024, law enforcement conducted a search at Flett's residence. During a consensual interview, he confessed to his actions and admitted to hiding his phone when authorities arrived. A forensic examination of his electronic devices and Kik account uncovered 16 videos and 60 images of child pornography. Some content depicted sadistic or masochistic conduct involving prepubescent children, infants, and toddlers.
United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand presided over the sentencing. In addition to his prison term of 180 months, Flett was ordered to pay $3,600 in restitution and assessments and will serve five years of supervised release following his imprisonment. There is no parole available in the federal system. Until he is transferred to a federal prison facility, Flett remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative by the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. The program unites federal, state, and local resources for locating offenders who exploit children while identifying and rescuing victims.
The investigation was carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Cyber-Crime Unit, and Webster County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri. Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit prosecuted the case.
For further details about Project Safe Childhood or internet safety education resources visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
