A Prairieburg, Iowa man has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison after admitting to sexually exploiting at least six children using social media and text messages. Bryce Hans Plower, 37, pleaded guilty on April 17, 2025, to charges of sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography.
According to information presented in court, between 2014 and 2024 Plower persuaded several minors—some as young as 12—to send him sexually explicit images and videos. He paid some victims small amounts of money, sometimes just $1, which led the children to feel obligated to provide him with the material. Authorities also found child pornography on his phone depicting prepubescent children, sadistic or masochistic conduct, and a child engaged in sexual acts with an animal.
Chief Judge C.J. Williams handed down the sentence in Cedar Rapids on October 1, 2025. Plower received a total of 480 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution to victims. Following his release from prison, he will be subject to five years of supervised release. Federal sentencing does not allow for parole.
Plower is currently being held by the United States Marshal’s Service until he is transferred to a federal facility.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake following an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse across the country. The project brings together resources from various levels of law enforcement to pursue offenders and protect victims. Additional details about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc.
