A Lafayette couple has been sentenced to federal prison in a child pornography case, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller announced Monday.
Brad William Blanchard, 45, was sentenced to 12 years, six months on his conviction for attempted receipt and attempted distribution of child pornography.
U.S. District Judge David C. Joseph also sentenced Blanchard to 20 years of supervised release for these offenses.
Blanchard's girlfriend, Amy Kraft, 49, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release, plus $12,000 in restitution to the victims, for her guilty plea to attempted distribution of child pornography.
According to information presented in court, law enforcement agents began communicating with an individual, later identified as Blanchard, on an internet-based fetish forum where Blanchard expressed his sexual interest in underage children.
Blanchard sent an undercover agent images of child sexual abuse material, which depicted a minor victim. Following this exchange, agents were able to obtain and execute search and arrest warrants for Blanchard’s person, residence, and electronic devices. At the time the warrants were executed, Blanchard admitted to law enforcement that he had sent the images and that his girlfriend, Amy Kraft, had assisted in sending him for his sexual gratification. Kraft was subsequently arrested and admitted her involvement in sending the images to Blanchard to fulfill his sexual fantasies and gratification.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Danny Siefker is prosecuting the case.