U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday has sentenced Jason Alan Wacker, a 28-year-old from Pasco County, to ten years in federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse material. The court also mandated the forfeiture of two cellphones linked to the offense. Wacker had entered a guilty plea on August 12, 2024.
Court documents reveal that in May 2023, while on supervised release for previous offenses related to child sex abuse material, Wacker was found accessing such content again. A cyber tip led law enforcement to conduct forensic examinations of his cellphones, uncovering over 100 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse and exploitation.
The investigation was carried out by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney Derry and Jennifer Peresie prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program brings together resources from federal, state, and local levels to prosecute offenders and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
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