A Humboldt man faces between 15 and 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty Thursday in Sioux City Federal Court to sexual exploitation of a child.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa, 44-year-old Paul Flett admitted he sent links and images of child pornography to underage girls, and asked them to send images and videos of themselves to him. On June 6th of last year, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Flett’s home. Flett admitted he threw his phone in a closet when law enforcement showed up. Forensic analysis discovered a total of 16 videos and 60 images of child pornography on Flett’s phone, computer, and Kik account. The images and videos contained material that portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct, as well as prepubescent children, infants, and toddlers.
Sentencing will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Flett is being held in the custody of the U.S. Marshall pending sentencing.