A Bettendorf man was sentenced on April 6 to 210 months in federal prison for receipt, possession, and distribution of child pornography, according to an announcement by United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa.
The sentencing highlights ongoing efforts to address crimes involving the exploitation of children online. Law enforcement agencies continue to prioritize investigations and prosecutions related to child sexual abuse material.
Court documents show that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received CyberTips indicating accounts associated with Lucas Zachary Woods, age 26, had received files containing child sexual abuse material. During a search at Woods’ residence in Bettendorf, authorities seized electronic devices. A forensic examination revealed that Woods used these devices to receive, view, possess, and distribute images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.
Woods will also serve a five-year term of supervised release after completing his prison sentence. He was ordered to pay $35,000 in restitution. There is no parole available in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department as part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
