The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Helena, on March 23, 2010, before Senior U.S. District Judge Charles C. Lovell, KEITH CHRISTOPHER MADSEN, a 27-year-old resident of Helena, appeared for sentencing. MADSEN was sentenced to a term of:

• Prison: 24 months

• Special Assessment: $100

• Forfeiture: Ipod

• Supervised Release: 10 years

MADSEN was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to possession of child pornography.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

In May of 2009, law enforcement agents for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) were searching for any possible VA computer users who might be inappropriately using their computers to access the Internet for child pornography. One IP address was identified as being a user who was searching for and downloading child pornography images via his VA work computer and the Internet. The individual was later identified as MADSEN of Helena's VA Montana Healthcare System.

On June 2, 2009, MADSEN'S VA work computer was seized. A forensic examination of the computer found images of child pornography. When questioned, MADSEN admitted that he had been receiving and possessing child pornography via the Internet, his VA work computer, and his personal Ipod. He gave the officers consent to search the Ipod and more images of child pornography were found.

MADSEN possessed numerous images, including images of children clearly prepubescent and children engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that MADSEN will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, MADSEN does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Helena Police Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Department of Justice launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

 

 

Return to Top