COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Kevin Charles Kersten, age 53 of Harlan, was sentenced on September 7, 2022, to seven years in prison following his plea to a charge of Receipt of Child Pornography. Kersten must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

In February 2021, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received several cybertips that an IP address uploaded child pornography files. A search warrant was executed at Kersten’s residence, which was linked to the IP address. Electronic devices found at Kersten’s residence were seized and forensically analyzed. While conducting this investigation, officers obtained another cybertip that the IP address linked to Kersten had again uploaded child pornography. A second search warrant was executed at his residence and additional electronic evidence was seized. The forensic examination located images and videos of child pornography on Kersten’s electronic devices.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Harlan Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force investigated the case.