Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
Cleon Mitchell, Jr., a 46-year-old resident of Mason City, Iowa, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography. Mitchell pleaded guilty on April 30, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City.
Court records and evidence presented during the plea and sentencing hearings showed that between August 2022 and April 2024, Mitchell used Kik and Snapchat applications to receive and possess images and videos depicting child pornography involving prepubescent minors or children under the age of 12. According to authorities, Snapchat reported Mitchell's account to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which then notified law enforcement. Investigators linked the account to Mitchell and obtained a search warrant for his residence and electronic devices.
During the search, Mitchell admitted to receiving and possessing child pornography on his phone. Forensic analysis uncovered 30 videos and 50 images containing child pornography, including materials depicting sadistic or masochistic conduct as well as prepubescent children and toddlers. Mitchell also admitted to engaging in a pattern of activity involving the sexual abuse or exploitation of a minor. He previously pleaded guilty to Lascivious Acts with a Child in February 2025 in Cerro Gordo County District Court.
"This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006, by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims," according to information provided by officials.
More details about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc. Resources on internet safety education are also available at www.usdoj.gov/psc under the “resources” tab.
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