(Moscow, ID) Joshua Jay Downer, 39, of Moscow, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for distribution of child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.
According to court records, in early 2024, law enforcement received Cybertips from an email provider indicating that somebody who was using their email service was distributing child sexual abuse material from multiple related email addresses. Law enforcement traced the email addresses to a Moscow address where Downer, a registered sex offender on federal supervision for a prior conviction related to child sexual abuse material, lived. In February 2024, law enforcement searched Downer’s home and found a tablet in Downer’s bedroom. Downer was prohibited from possessing this tablet while on federal supervision. A forensic analysis of the tablet revealed numerous images and videos of child sexual abuse material, as well as evidence indicating that Downer was using the tablet to distribute child sexual abuse material to others.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye ordered Downer to serve a lifetime of supervised release following his prison sentence and to pay $12,000 in restitution to four victims in the images he possessed. Downer will be required to continue to register as a sex offender as a result of the conviction.
“The defendant in this case earned every day of his sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “Together with our law enforcement partners, our office remains focused not only on holding accountable anyone who would distribute child sexual abuse materials, but also supporting victims and seeking restitution on their behalf.”
“Every time child sexual abuse material is shared and viewed on the internet, if revictimizes the child,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Albert Kelly of the Salt Lake City FBI. “Any form of child abuse leaves a profound and enduring effect on an innocent victim. The FBI and our partners are committed to protecting children from such harm and exploitation.”
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the work of Moscow Police Department, the Latah County Sheriff’s Office, the Lewiston Police Department, the Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Johnson prosecuted this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) of the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.