JULY 12, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

ELWOOD MAN GETS 30 YEARS IN CHILD PORN CASE

KANSAS CITY, KAN. - An Elwood, Kan., man will spend 30 years in federal prison for producing child pornography.

Brandon M. Lutz, 35, was sentenced Monday during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Kathryn H. Vratil.

"Pornographic images of four young females taken inside his residence were discovered in the defendant's digital camera and on video tapes he produced," said U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren. "Using file sharing software, he uploaded child pornography to the Internet."

Lutz pleaded guilty in April to one count of production of child pornography. In his plea, he admitted that an investigation initiated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led to FBI agents contacting him on June 21, 2005, at his home in Elmwood. Agents determined that he was using file sharing software to post images and movies that contained child pornography. He also posted a requesting stating, "I like to look at girls 9-19 on the Web. If you have any to give please give me a ring."

A review of his computer revealed 275 images of child pornography and 13 movie files containing child pornography. There were an additional 15 to 20 images contained in his digital camera. The photos were taken inside the defendant's residence and depicted three young females in various forms of undress. In some photos, he was shown exposing himself to the camera. Further investigation revealed he also had produced video tapes involving a 9-year-old girl in images of child pornography.

Melgren commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin, who prosecuted the case.