United States of America v. Jon Travis Yost

Elkins, West Virginia criminal law lawyer represented Defendant charged with producing sexually explicit videos using young children.



Jon Travis Yost, age 28, victimized multiple children in the process of producing pornographic films and did so while still on probation for a sex crime from state court.



"Mr. Yost won't be able to harm any children in the jail cell where he will be living for the next 50 years,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. "Sadly, his victims will continue to suffer from the damage he has done, and some may never fully recover.”



Yost was sentenced as a result of his conviction of "Production of Child Pornography – Previous Conviction.” His prior conviction was for Third Degree Sexual Assault in the Circuit Court of Barbour County.



Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The FBI and the Harrison County Sheriff's Office investigated.







18 U.S.C. § 2251- Sexual Exploitation of Children

(Production of child pornography)

18 U.S.C. § 2251A- Selling and Buying of Children

18 U.S.C. § 2252- Certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors

(Possession, distribution and receipt of child pornography)

18 U.S.C. § 2252A- certain activities relating to material constituting or containing child pornography

18 U.S.C. § 2256- Definitions

18 U.S.C. § 2260- Production of sexually explicit depictions of a minor for importation into the United States



Images of child pornography are not protected under First Amendment rights, and are illegal contraband under federal law. Section 2256 of Title 18, United States Code, defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (someone under 18 years of age). Visual depictions include photographs, videos, digital or computer generated images indistinguishable from an actual minor, and images created, adapted, or modified, but appear to depict an identifiable, actual minor. Undeveloped film, undeveloped videotape, and electronically stored data that can be converted into a visual image of child pornography are also deemed illegal visual depictions under federal law.



United States Department of Justice.

Defendant was sentenced to 50 years' imprisonment, followed by lifetime supervised relate and was assessed $100.