Christopher Anthony Quinn Pleads Guilty In U.S. Federal Court

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on February 19, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY QUINN, a 49-year-old resident of Troy, pled guilty to distribution of child pornography. Sentencing has been set for May 24, 2013. He is currently released on special conditions.

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

In March 2012, the Missoula Police Department, a member of the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, investigated QUINN for trading child pornography via the Internet.

During the investigation, the detective determined that on February 6, 2012, QUINN utilized his email address and laptop to e-mail an image to a yahoo e-mail account. The image depicts child pornography in that it depicts two minor girls engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The image displays the lascivious exhibition of one of the girls' pubic area or genitalia. That e-mail text was: "I have some different sets. Here are a few samples. Just let me know what you like."

A search warrant for QUINN's residence in Lincoln County was obtained and numerous items were seized.

QUINN faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 20 years, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervision.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Missoula Police Department, the Missoula County Sheriff's Office, the Bozeman Police Department, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.