Johnston County Man Sent to Federal Prison for 10 Years for Child Porn Found During Investigation Into Torturing a Cat

NEW BERN, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Nathaniel Rogers Truitt, 23, to 10 years in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for Receipt of Child Pornography.  

According to court documents and other information presented in court, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office initially investigated Inmate Truitt for domestic violence.  Inmate Truitt called 911 claiming a family member pepper sprayed him. The family member found videos of Inmate Truitt torturing and murdering the family cat. Inmate Truitt confessed that he videoed himself killing the family cat at the request of a stranger on the internet. Inmate Truitt also confessed to killing stray cats and to engaging in sexual acts with these dead animals at the request of an online stranger. Law enforcement seized and searched his digital devices, which revealed child sexual abuse material, along with animal cruelty videos. Truitt’s state charges for crimes against nature and cruelty to animals remain pending.

“This reprehensible crime disgusts every law-abiding citizen. Engaging in this behavior allows spiders to target more children for demonic acts. We will stomp out anyone doing this in Eastern North Carolina, without remorse. Please monitor your family members and don’t let them get entangled in the evil that lurks in the web.”  said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.

W. Ellis Boyle U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing was concluded. U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan presided over the sentencing.  The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and SBI investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charity Wilson and Ashley Foxx prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-329-FL-RN.