Robert Thiemann, age 38, from Evansdale, Iowa, was sentenced on Apr. 7 to ten years in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of receiving child pornography.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address crimes involving the exploitation of children online. The sentencing follows an investigation that began when the Federal Bureau of Investigation received a tip in October 2022 indicating Thiemann had uploaded an image of child pornography to an adult chat website.
According to information presented at sentencing, between October 2020 and October 2022, Thiemann downloaded visual depictions of child pornography. Following the tip, FBI agents searched his home and seized an iPhone containing images and videos involving prepubescent minors as well as material depicting sadistic and masochistic conduct.
United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams handed down a sentence of 120 months’ imprisonment and ordered Thiemann to pay $18,000 in restitution to six victims. After serving his prison term, he will be subject to five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Evansdale Police Department. Thiemann remains in custody awaiting transfer to a federal prison.
This prosecution is 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.
