Fresno Man Sentenced To More Than 12 Years In Prison For Distribution Of Child Pornography

FRESNO, Calif. — David Thomas Hume, 37, of Fresno, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii to 12 years and seven months in prison for distribution of child pornography, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, between November 28, 2012, and January 24, 2013, Hume distributed more than 600 images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The images also depicted prepubescent minors involved in the portrayal of sadistic, masochistic, and other depictions of violence. Hume was taken into custody on February 14, 2013, was indicted two weeks later for distribution of child pornography, and pleaded guilty to this charge on February 24, 2014.

This case was the product of an extensive investigation by the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task force, specifically the Fresno U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Brian W. Enos is prosecuting the case.

“Each time an image of child pornography is viewed, that child is victimized again,” said Mike Prado, resident agent in charge of HSI Fresno. “As a result of HSI’s close collaboration with our law enforcement partners here in the Central Valley, this individual will be held accountable for his actions and spend many years behind bars, where he can no longer victimize innocent children.”

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood Marshals, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about Internet safety.