Kid Porn Results In 60-Year Sentence

Man Took Photos Of Teenaged Girls

FAYETTEVILLE - A federal judge on Monday handed down the maximum sentence of 60 years for a Madison County man who admitted he photographed two teen girls engaged in sexual activity.

James Hanna, 67, of Japton pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child pornography, though prosecutors said there were at least four other victims.

During the hearing, Hanna gave a lengthy monologue about a “subculture” he said he discovered in Madison County when he moved there five years ago. He described the county as a “cesspool of abusers and users.” He told the judge that he saw how the girls he abused lived and was concerned of the influence of mall stores “selling stripper poles” and music with sexually explicit lyrics.

Hanna, with a long, white beard and wearing orange-striped prison clothes, repeated some of the song lyrics for U.S. District Judge Jimm Larry Hendren.

Hendren questioned Hanna’s statements of wanting to help the girls and said that instead of “helping,” Hanna violated his victims and the law.

“That’s nonsense, pure nonsense,” Hendren told Hanna. “Your obligation as with every other adult is to protect our children, not violate them.”

Hanna’s case began with an investigation the Madison County sheriff’s office launched on Aug. 28, 2012, after a report from a concerned parent, court documents state. The parent reported that Hanna sexually assaulted two 13-yearold girls. Authorities then learned during interviews with the girls that Hanna had been taking sexually explicit photos of them.

Madison County deputies executed a search warrant at Hanna’s residence and confiscated several computers, cameras and digital storage devices.

Deputies arrested Hanna in August on multiple state and federal charges, and he pleaded guilty to the federal charges in January. The penalty ranged from 15 years to 30 years on each count and a maximum fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Roberts said the case involved six different victims ranging in age from 13 to 16 years old and that he was seeking the maximum sentence against Hanna.

“It’s rare and unique for an individual to have six victims in front of this court,” Roberts said. “It shows the seriousness of the offense.”

Hanna acknowledged in court that he victimized the girls but later made allegations about their behavior and said he meant for the girls to make changes in their lives.

“They need help,” Hanna said. “I told the court this in the hopes that somebody will do something.”

Hendren responded that Hanna was in court Monday not because of problems in Madison County but because of the hundreds of photos he made in violation of the law and of his victims, Hendren said.

Hendren said that if Hanna had a concern, he could have gone to the Madison County sheriff ’s office or to the Madison County prosecutor. Instead of going to authorities, Hanna took advantage of minors who are too young to consent, Hendren said.

“These young ladies, perhaps misguided, they weren’t helped any by you,” Hendren said. “They were made worse by you.”

Hendren also said he heard no feelings of remorse from Hanna.

Jack Schisler, a public defender, told the judge he would not argue for a sentence outside of the “guidance range.” The minimum sentence for Hanna would have been 15 years in prison. Speaking on Hanna’s behalf, Schisler said Hanna was not interested in being released from prison as an elderly man and believed he would not finish out that sentence because of his health.

In deciding a sentence, Hendren told Hanna that he considers multiple factors, including the history and character of each defendant.

“You have a strange notion about your own righteousness and your own ability to help in the affairs of other folks,” Hendren said. “You don’t seem to be interested in your own affairs as an adult.”

John Threet, prosecutor for the state’s 4th Judicial District, said his office was aware of Hendren’s decision but had not made a final decision on how to proceed on state charges, which include four counts of rape and three counts of sexual indecency with minors.

“He’s going to die locked up,” Threet said.

In addition to his prison sentence, Hendren assessed a fine of $25,000 and ordered for Hanna to be under supervised release if he ever gets out of prison.

Northwest Arkansas, Pages 9 on 07/09/2013

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