Charlyna Butterworth, a 29-year-old resident of Aurora, Colorado, has been sentenced to 36 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release after pleading guilty to producing and distributing child pornography. The sentencing was announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.
According to court documents, Butterworth sexually abused three minors under her care, all younger than five years old, and created material documenting the abuse.
“This is a serious sentence for a serious crime,” said United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly. “I am grateful that this individual is no longer in a position to harm another child.”
United States District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher presided over the case. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Denver Field Office, and Assistant United States Attorney Alecia L. Riewerts prosecuted the case.
The prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to address child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood brings together federal, state, and local resources to find and prosecute those who exploit children online and to identify victims. More information about this initiative can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
