Hawkeye Reporter

Kenneth Brown, a 60-year-old resident of Badger, Iowa, has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. The conviction took place on July 22, 2025, in Sioux City federal court.

During the plea hearing, Brown confessed to receiving and possessing child pornography from early May 2023 through April 3, 2024. A CyberTip alerted law enforcement to 32 files uploaded from Brown's cell phone. A forensic examination uncovered 27 videos and 28 images depicting child pornography, including materials involving sadistic conduct and prepubescent children.

Brown is awaiting sentencing by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand after a presentence report is prepared. He remains in custody under the United States Marshal. Brown could face up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release post-imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project involves federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims. More information can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc.

The Webster County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit.