An Adel resident, Douglas Harsh, 55, has been sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for transportation of child pornography. The sentencing took place on Friday, September 5, 2025.
Court documents and evidence presented during the sentencing revealed that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTip about an account linked to Harsh that had received files containing child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement officials conducted a search at Harsh’s residence in Adel and seized electronic devices. The investigation determined that Harsh participated in an online chat group where members shared images and videos of child pornography, including material involving prepubescent children.
Following his prison term, Harsh will be subject to seven years of supervised release. Federal law does not allow parole. He was also ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentence. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children unit and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.
The prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to address child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program coordinates federal, state, and local resources to find and prosecute individuals who exploit children online and works to identify and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood is available at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
