Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
A man from Arthur, Iowa, has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography in federal court in Sioux City. Wesley Ham, 32, admitted on August 20, 2025, to the charge of receipt of child pornography.
During the plea hearing, evidence was presented that between March 2022 and September 2023, Ham received and possessed more than 94 images and 79 videos of child pornography. A forensic review of his computer and phone found he had a total of 370 images and three videos depicting child pornography. Some material included infants and toddlers as well as content involving sadistic and masochistic conduct.
Ham acknowledged receiving and possessing the illegal material but denied distributing it in this case. However, he did admit to distributing child pornography in a separate state case in Iowa in 2022.
Sentencing will be scheduled before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand after a presentence report is completed. Ham remains in custody with the United States Marshal until sentencing. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to twenty years’ imprisonment, along with a possible $250,000 fine and at least five years of supervised release following any prison term. There is no parole available under the federal system.
The prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. The project brings together federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders who exploit children and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc. Details about internet safety education are also available at www.usdoj.gov/psc under the “resources” tab.
