An Iowa City man, Jose Manuel Parsons, was sentenced on March 25 to seven years in federal prison for receipt of child pornography.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and the justice system to address crimes involving the exploitation of children. Authorities say that combating such offenses remains a priority as technology facilitates new avenues for abuse.
According to public court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTip that an account later determined to be associated with Parsons, age 40, had received and uploaded files containing child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement examined an electronic device seized at Parsons’ arrest and reviewed social media content that showed Parsons communicated with minors, including a minor in Michigan who sent him child sexual abuse material. For multiple years, Parsons worked for traveling carnival companies and had access to children.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Parsons will be required to serve a ten-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa City Police Department investigated the case.
This case was brought 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 coordination among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
