Contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales
Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov, (414) 297-1700
Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin,
announced that on February 16, 2021, Jesse K. Bell (age: 32) of Neenah, Wisconsin, was
sentenced to 38 months’ imprisonment for possession of child pornography.
In May of 2020, Bell was found with pornographic images of children under 12
years old on his cellular telephone. Bell subsequently pled guilty to one count of
possession of child pornography, contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Section
2252A(5)(b).
In pronouncing sentence, Senior U.S. District Judge William C. Griesbach noted
the serious nature of Bell’s crime, which victimized children. Judge Griesbach further
highlighted the disturbing nature of the images, the need to deter Bell and others from
engaging in similar behavior, and Bell’s previous criminal record. Following his release
from prison, Bell will serve ten years on supervised release and will be required to
register as a sexual offender under federal and state law.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative
to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in
May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the
Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals
federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals
who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more
information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Neenah Police Department with the assistance
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Brown County Sheriff’s Office. It was
prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
