An Altoona, Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for possessing and distributing images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Jonathan Hunt, 44, pleaded guilty on October 21, 2025, before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines. The sentence includes 108 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.
According to information presented in court, Hunt distributed images involving minors on February 16, 2021, using materials that had crossed state or international borders. He was also found to have possessed images depicting prepubescent minors on October 19, 2021.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon. First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti recognized the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations in leading the investigation.
"This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc," according to the press release.
The sentencing occurred following a recent government shutdown lasting 43 days.
