Shawnee Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Receipt of Child Pornography

OKLAHOMA CITY – CHRISTOPHER MARCUS WELLS, 47, of Shawnee, was sentenced today to 12 years in federal prison for receipt of child pornography, announced Robert J. Troester, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.

Wells was indicted for child pornography offenses on November 15, 2017.  On January 5, 2018, Wells pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.  According to an affidavit in support of a search warrant in this case, Wells’ computer was sharing child pornography files via peer-to-peer file sharing software on June 17, 2017.  An undercover Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") agent downloaded child pornography files that Wells’ computer was sharing.  Pursuant to a search warrant issued by a United States Magistrate Judge, agents later searched Wells’ home and seized his computer equipment for forensic analysis.  During the course of its investigation, the FBI learned that Wells had acquired terabytes of child pornography via the Dark Web and peer-to-peer file sharing software.

At sentencing today, United States District Judge Joe Heaton sentenced Wells to 12 years in federal prison.  In sentencing Wells, the Court took into consideration records indicating that Wells had molested a young girl approximately 25 years ago.  After his prison sentence, Wells will serve five years on supervised release.  Wells has been held in federal custody since December 18, 2017. 

This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Hale prosecuted the case.

Reference is made to court filings for further information.