SIOUX CITY – A Northern Iowa man was sentenced January 4, 2024, to more than 4 years in federal prison for his possession of heinous child images.
Leighton Marshal Jones, age 42, from Spencer, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 18, 2023, guilty plea to possession of child pornography.
Evidence at Jones’ sentencing hearing established that between January 1, 2012, and December 7, 2017, Jones possessed over 1,500 images of child pornography copied across six electronic devices. Jones admitted to officers that he downloaded the child pornography in approximately 2012. Jones stated he had no interest in it but kept the child pornography because it was “different,” and he “knew he would not be able to get it again if he deleted it.” These images included material that portrayed toddlers, bestiality, and sadistic and masochistic conduct.
Jones was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Jones was sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $14,000 in restitution to several victims. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Jones is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and Spencer Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit.
