Man sent to federal prison for child porn

HUMBOLDT — A Humboldt man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa.

Paul W. Flett, 44, was sentenced on Tuesday to 15 years in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand in Sioux City.

Flett had pleaded guilty on Jan. 23 to one count of sexual exploitation of a child, federal prosecutors reported.

According to the prosecutors, evidence in the case showed that Flett sent links and images of child pornography to underage girls and asked them to send images or videos of themselves to him.

Law enforcement officers conducted a search at Flett’s home on June 6, 2024. Prosecutors said that during an interview that day, he admitted to the child pornography conduct. An examination of his electronic devices and a Kik account uncovered 16 videos and 60 images of child pornography, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reported. The images and videos included sadistic and masochistic conduct, the prosecutors said. The images and videos also showed infants, toddlers and pre-pubescent children.

Flett remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service until he can be transferred to a federal prison.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation worked on the case against Flett.

Police Logs

FORT DODGE

Tuesday

A welfare check was conducted in the 200 block of K Street.

A fight was reported in the 600 block of Central Avenue.

A fight was reported in the 700 block of Westridge Road.

Criminal mischief was reported in the 900 block of First Avenue North.

A suspicious person was reported at Third Avenue South and 16th Street.

A missing person was reported in the 2400 block of 13th Avenue South.

A stolen vehicle was reported in the 300 block of South Fourth Street.

A theft was reported in the 3000 block of First Avenue South.

A vehicle accident was reported in the 1200 block of First Avenue South.

A vehicle accident was reported in the 800 block of Kenyon Road.

Disorderly conduct was reported in the 800 block of North 25th Street.

A fight was reported at Second Avenue North and 11th Street.

A fight was reported in the 600 block of North 22nd Street.

A parking complaint was reported in the 300 block of Avenue O West.

A missing person was reported in the 300 block of South 16th Street.

A welfare check was reported in the 2700 block of Second Avenue North.

A theft was reported in the 3300 block of Fifth Avenue South.

A disabled vehicle was reported in the 100 block of Kenyon Road.

A fight was reported in the 370 block of Fifth Avenue South.

An odor of natural gas was reported at 10th Avenue North and 29th Street.

Magistrate Court

WEBSTER COUNTY

Wednesday

Violation of probation — Garrett M. Shelton, 28, Fort Dodge, further proceedings to be scheduled.

Violation of parole — Jeffrey A. Erwin Jr., 37, 1343 13th Ave. N., transferred to Parole Board.

Second degree theft — Noah J. Barbieri, 21, Stratford, preliminary hearing set for June 24, no contact order issued.

Abuse of a corpse — Aidan D. Pate, 23, Thor, preliminary hearing waived.

Accessory after the fact — Aidan D. Pate, 23, Thor, preliminary hearing waived.

Second degree attempted burglary — Tanner L. Knight, 32, 2216 Sixth Ave. N., preliminary hearing set for June 13, no contact order issued.

Interference with official acts — Tanner L. Knight, 32, 2216 Sixth Ave. N., continued 180 days.

Public intoxication — Terrell R. Shaw, 31, Ames, $105 plus surcharge, court costs.

Domestic abuse assault, first offense — David J. Casey, 36, 1517 11th Ave. S.W., trial set for July 10, no contact order issued.

Open container — Mark G. Hughes, 21, Harcourt, $260 plus surcharge, court costs.

No valid driver’s license — Mark G. Hughes, 21, Harcourt, $260 plus surcharge, court costs.