Deming man sentenced for possession of child sexual abuse material

Robert Howell Jr. , a 47-year-old resident of Deming, was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for possessing child sexual abuse material. The case began in 2019 when police from a foreign country alerted Homeland Security about an IP address linked to Howell Jr. accessing illicit content. Following a search warrant executed in 2020, federal agents seized devices containing more than 90,000 files depicting the sexual abuse of children.

The presiding judge noted the alarming volume and violent nature of the materials in determining the sentence. Howell Jr. must also pay over $140,000 in restitution to compensate nearly 50 victims exploited in the material. His prison term will be followed by 20 years of supervised release, reflecting the severity of his offenses. This case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat child exploitation and hold offenders accountable.

The ruling serves as a reminder of the legal consequences for those involved in such heinous acts.