Juneau Man indicted of receipt of child pornography

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that Juneau man was indicted yesterday for the receipt of child pornography.

Jim Wayne Thornhill, 38, of Juneau, Alaska was indicted on a single count for receipt of child pornography between the dates of November 3, 2014 and December 25, 2014.  Thornhill is currently incarcerated for violating his conditions of state probation related to a prior sexual abuse of a minor conviction.  

Assistant U. S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt, who is prosecuting the case, indicated that Thornhill faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a potential maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine, or both.  Thornhill also faces a minimum of five years up to life on supervised release. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. 

The charges against Thronhill are the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  If the public has any further information, questions, or concerns about the activities of Thornhill please contact the FBI at (907) 265-8254.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.  In May 2006, DOJ 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 combines 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

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.