Arkansas man sentenced to 15 years for child exploitation following ICE HSI investigation

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – An Arkansas man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison May 6 following his conviction on two counts of transportation of child pornography, and one count of accessing the internet with the intent to view child pornography. The sentencing follows an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

Brion Carey, 35, of Fayetteville, will also be required to serve 20 years of supervised release following his release from federal prison.

“This sentence sends a clear message that child exploitation will not be tolerated in our communities,” said Jere T. Miles, special agent in charge of HSI New Orleans. “We stand ready and committed, alongside our law enforcement partners, to protecting our nation’s children and ensuring predators face consequences for their heinous crimes.”

According to court documents, in November 2018, special agents with HSI Fayetteville received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an individual in Northwest Arkansas, later identified as Carey, uploaded numerous images of child pornography to a Google-based email account. Further investigation revealed a second instance in which the same Google email account was used to send an email containing 83 images of child pornography.

Carey was arrested in January 2019. He was later indicted on three child pornography related charges and in December 2019, a jury found Carey guilty of all charges. U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts and Assistant United States Attorney Carly Marshall prosecuted the case for the United States.

In fiscal year 2019, the number of children HSI rescued and/or identified from instances of child exploitation grew to 1,069, compared to 859 the year prior. HSI also saw increases in the number of cases initiated, indictments and convictions during the last fiscal year. Since 2013, HSI has rescued and/or identified over 6,500 child victims, thanks in part to initiatives like Project iGuardian.

To report suspicious activity or instances of child sexual exploitation, contact your local law enforcement agency. Tips can be submitted online, by phone at 866-DHS-2-ICE or by contacting your local HSI office. Reports can also be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or online at www.cybertipline.org.

For Internet safety information for educators, parents, and children alike, please visit HSI's iGuardian page to learn more.