Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
Brian Oakleaf, a 52-year-old former employee of the City of Storm Lake, Iowa, pleaded guilty on September 9, 2025, to two counts of possession of child pornography in federal court in Sioux City.
During the plea hearing, evidence presented showed that between March 1, 2022, and July 29, 2024, Oakleaf received, distributed, and possessed child pornography. The material included depictions involving prepubescent minors or children under the age of twelve on two separate cell phones. In May 2024, law enforcement conducted an online investigation into a file sharing program and identified an IP address distributing child sexual abuse material. The investigation traced the IP address to Oakleaf.
On July 29, 2024, investigators executed search warrants at Oakleaf’s home and office at Storm Lake City Hall. Authorities seized cell phones and other electronic devices. Forensic analysis revealed that Oakleaf used the targeted file sharing program and searched for known child exploitation terms to access illegal material. Investigators also found that he had used the alias “Dan Dyle” to view and trade child pornography. According to his plea agreement, Oakleaf admitted possessing over 20,000 images and one video longer than ninety minutes containing child pornography across two phones. The materials included depictions of toddlers as well as content involving bondage and sadistic conduct.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and identify victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc.
Oakleaf will remain in custody pending sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand after completion of a presentence report. He faces up to forty years in prison, fines totaling $500,000, and a minimum of five years supervised release following imprisonment; parole is not available under the federal system.
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