Hawkeye Reporter

An Adel resident, Douglas Harsh, 55, has been sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for transporting child pornography. The sentencing took place on September 5, 2025.

Court documents and evidence presented at the sentencing revealed that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTip about an account linked to Harsh that had received files containing child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement executed a search at Harsh’s home in Adel and seized electronic devices. The investigation determined that Harsh was involved in an online chat group where members shared images and videos of child pornography, including content involving prepubescent children.

After serving his prison term, Harsh will be under supervised release for seven years. There is no possibility of parole in the federal system. Additionally, he has been ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentence. The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation with support from the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children unit and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.

The case falls under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to address child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood coordinates efforts among federal, state, and local agencies to locate offenders who exploit children through digital means and to rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.