A man from Peyton, Colorado, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for producing and distributing child sexual abuse material. Justin Welsh, 32, received the sentence after pleading guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. In addition to his prison term, Welsh will be subject to 20 years of supervised release and must pay a $10,000 special assessment under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act (AVAA).
Law enforcement began investigating Welsh following a Cyber Tipline Report submitted by an internet service provider to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in July 2024. The investigation found that Welsh had created sexually explicit images and videos involving a three-year-old victim and distributed them to another individual. He also recorded sexual contact with a second minor and shared that content.
United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly stated: “This defendant committed horrific crimes against young people in his care. This sentence puts him exactly where he belongs for the next several decades.”
The sentencing was overseen by United States District Judge Daniel D. Domenico.
The case was investigated by the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit along with Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Alecia L. Riewerts and Dustin André-Vandenberg prosecuted the case.
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at fighting child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project brings together federal, state, and local resources to find, arrest, and prosecute those who exploit children online as well as identify victims. More information on Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
