On Aug. 28, 2014, Springfield resident Jason Mikula, 36, pled guilty to the receipt and possession of child pornography. Mikula had been previously convicted in 2005 on charges of aggravated sexual battery of a young child, as well as exploitation of a minor, and was on lifetime supervision with the state. Investigators found that after his release from the state penitentiary in August of 2012, he began collecting sexually explicit images of young children.
On Dec. 15, 2014, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison and ordered to pay $9,300 in restitution to the minor victim. He will also be placed on supervised release for 15 years after serving his time federal prison and will be required to participate in sex offender treatment.
“Child pornography” can be defined as sexually explicit images of minors, or those under the age of 18. The production, distribution, reception, and possession of such images are prohibited under federal law. First time offenses may lead to a minimum of 15 to a maximum of 30 years in prison. Second offenses, violent offenses, or offenses involving sexual abuse of said minor may lead to harsher sentencing, including up to life in prison. (http://www.justice.gov/)
Sources
http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/robertson/2014/12/18/springfield-man-sentenced-in-child-porn-case/20618159/