Hawkeye Reporter

An Iowa City man, Jeffrey Alan Guentert, 57, has been sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for the receipt of child pornography. The sentencing took place on September 15, 2025.

Court documents and evidence from the sentencing revealed that a 2023 investigation linked Guentert to an account that downloaded files containing child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement executed a search at Guentert’s home and workplace, seizing 87 electronic devices. Guentert was employed by the city at the time. Forensic analysis showed that he used at least 44 of these devices to receive, view, and possess over 5,000 images and 1,500 videos depicting child sexual abuse between 2019 and 2023.

Following his prison term, Guentert will be subject to five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution. There is no possibility of parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentence. The Johnson County Joint Forensic Analysis Cyber Team and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to address child exploitation crimes using online platforms. The project coordinates resources among federal, state, and local agencies with a focus on prosecuting offenders and rescuing victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.