Tanner Eugene Osweiler Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court
The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on December 7, 2010, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, TANNER EUGENE OSWEILER, a 22-year-old resident of Kalispell, pled guilty to possession of child pornography. Sentencing has been set for March 18, 2011. He is currently released on special conditions.
In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Kalispell investigated a peer-to-peer referral. After determining an IP address in Kalispell had child pornography files available for download, they located the subscriber information and obtained a search warrant for the residence. The residence was owned by OSWEILER's parents. A search warrant was served in May 2009 and the agents seized one computer from the residence.
A subsequent forensic examination of the computer found chid pornography video files. Files were located in two paths, both of which were the locations designated for files downloaded via LimeWire by an individual utilizing the "Tanner Osweiler" account. Search terms indicative of a person seeking child pornography were located. The file creation date range for the videos was September 10, 2007, through June 9, 2008.
When interviewed, OSWEILER admitted downloading child pornography via LimeWire. He stated some of his search terms were indicative of one searching for child pornography. OSWEILER said he would download about 15 videos at a time, watch them and delete them after watching.
OSWEILER possessed 600 or more images which depict child pornography, and some of the images depicts pre-pubescent children and sadistic/masochistic conduct.
OSWEILER faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.
A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.
