Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Helena on December 29, 2009, before Senior U.S. District Judge Charles C. Lovell, KEITH CHRISTOPHER MADSEN, a 27-year-old resident of Helena, pled guilty to possession of child pornography. Sentencing is set for March 23, 2010.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

In May of 2009, law enforcement agents for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) were searching for any possible VA computer users who might be inappropriately using their computers to access the Internet for child pornography. One IP address was identified as being a user who was searching for and downloading child pornography images via his VA work computer and the Internet. The individual was later identified as MADSEN of Helena's VA Montana Healthcare System.

On June 2, 2009, MADSEN'S VA work computer was seized. A forensic examination of the computer found images of child pornography. When questioned, MADSEN admitted that he had been receiving and possessing child pornography via the Internet, his VA work computer, and his personal Ipod. He gave the officers consent to search the Ipod and more images of child pornography were found.

MADSEN possessed numerous images, including images of children clearly prepubescent and children engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence.

MADSEN faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervision.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Helena Police Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General.

A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.

 

 

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