A Little Sioux man, Trevor John Collison, was sentenced on April 21 to 50 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and the justice system to address crimes involving child sexual abuse material. After his prison term, Collison will be subject to a ten-year supervised release and must pay $15,000 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, law enforcement searched Collison’s residence in Harrison County and seized electronic devices. A forensic examination revealed that he used these devices to produce numerous hidden camera images and videos containing child sexual abuse material involving five minor victims.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentence. The investigation involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Council Bluffs Police Department, and Alaska State Patrol. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa supports victims and witnesses through its services unit according to the official website. The office operates under the United States Department of Justice according to its official website, handles both civil and criminal cases for the United States according to its official website, employs 24 prosecutors according to its official website, covers the Southern District of Iowa according to its official website, uses facilities in Des Moines, Davenport, and Council Bluffs according to its official website, and partners with law enforcement agencies for coordination as reported by its official site.
April marked National Child Abuse Prevention Month as well as two years since Homeland Security launched “Know2Protect: Together We Can Stop Online Child Exploitation.” Resources are available at www.Know2Protect.gov.
This prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006—to combat child sexual exploitation online. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
