MADISON, WIS. -- Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Anthony A. Atkins, 47, Webster, Wisconsin, was sentenced on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 144 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography. This term of imprisonment will be followed by 15 years of supervised release. Atkins pleaded guilty to this charge on February 9, 2021.
According to a news release, on June 15, 2020, a probation officer took possession of 3 phones from Atkins, who was not allowed to have them. She did a preliminary search of the phones, and allegedly observed what she believed to be child pornography, and turned the phones over to Law Enforcement. Law Enforcement officials then obtained a search warrant for the phones and found "numerous images" of child pornography.
In sentencing, Judge Conley expressed concern that Atkins had a sexual interest in children for the last 25 years and committed "hands-on offenses" in the past. Judge Conley also noted it was at least the third time Atkins violated his sex offender registry notification requirements.
The charge against Atkins was the result of an investigation conducted by the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.
The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.
Last Update: Jun 03, 2021 7:10 am CDT
