Tahlequah Man Sentenced To 97 Months For Possession Of Material Involving Sexual Exploitation Of Minors

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Eric Lynn Garman, age 35, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 97 months’ imprisonment, and 5 years supervised release for Possession Of Certain Material Involving The Sexual Exploitation Of Minors, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B) and 2252(b)(2). The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Indictment alleged that between on or about August 14, 2017 to on or about November 30, 2017, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly possess, attempt to possess and access with intent to view, matters which contained visual depictions, as that term is defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 2256(5), which said visual depictions involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, as that term is defined in Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2256(2)(A)-(B), and said visual depictions were of such sexually explicit conduct and had been transported in interstate commerce by computer. 

United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “The horrific acts committed against children by those that produce child pornography is made profitable by those that purchase, possess, and share it. The successful prosecution of Mr. Garman would not have been possible without the professional and thorough investigation conducted by the FBI. I commend the FBI for this investigation and its continued service to the people of the Eastern District of Oklahoma.”

FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Kathryn Peterson said, "This investigation reinforces the message that the victimization of children will not be tolerated by law enforcement. These terrible crimes inflict irreparable harm and trauma to young and vulnerable victims." 

The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Edward Snow represented the United States. The defendant will remain in custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which the non-paroleable sentence will be served.