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Press Release

Topeka Man Sentenced For Cyberstalking, Child Pornography

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Kansas

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man was sentenced today to nine years in federal prison for cyberstalking and distributing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Blake Adam Austin, 35, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of cyberstalking, one count of possessing child pornography and one count of distributing child pornography.

The investigation began when a middle school teacher in Topeka reported receiving emails from males who wanted to meet her. The males were responding to a Craigslist ad in which someone used the victim’s identity to post sexual content. The problem continued for years until an investigator identified an account Austin was using to post sexual content along with the victim’s contact information.

The victim recognized Austin as someone she had worked with at a coffee shop. He had attempted to initiate a relationship but she had not been interested.

Investigators learned Austin used images of an adult porn star and the victim’s contact information to post ads. He also used images of the victim and her contact information to place half a dozen ads on Craigslist.

On Austin’s laptop, investigators found images of him having sex with a 17-year-old girl. Investigators also learned that Austin uploaded sexually explicit photos of a girl under 15 years old on Skype.

McAllister commended the Topeka Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney for their work on the case.

Updated November 19, 2019

Topic
Project Safe Childhood
Component