New York Man Sentenced in Missoula to 15 Years in Prison for Child Porn Crime

MISSOULA – David Woods, 38, of Corfu, New York, was sentenced today to 15 years’ incarceration followed by 15 years supervised release, for conspiracy to advertise child pornography.  Chief U.S. District Court Judge Dana L. Christensen sentenced Woods following a May 22, 2015, hearing, in which Woods pleaded guilty to the offense.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Montana Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee Peterson and Trial Attorney Maureen Cain, of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation & Obscenity Section, the government stated that if the case had proceeded to trial, the government would have proven that an invitation-only online bulletin board, referred to as Dark Moon, was created in 2011.  The bulletin board allowed members to advertise and exchange images of child pornography.  In early 2012, Woods became an active member of the bulletin board and continued to be an active member in a more advanced role until April 2013.  Woods made posts in the advanced member section of the board, which included URL links and preview images of child pornography.  Woods also requested child pornography from other members of the Dark Moon, and responded to and commented on child pornography posts made by other members.  Law enforcement analysis of Woods’ digital and other devices revealed that he used multiple hard drives and a computer in commission of the crime.

This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.  Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation.  It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.  The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.  Investigative agencies involved in the case include the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Cyndee Peterson prosecuted this case along with Trial Attorney Maureen Cain, of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation & Obscenity Section.  Because there is no parole in the federal system, Woods will have to serve at least 85% of his sentence before he is released from prison.