United States of America v. Seth Harms

Evansville, Indiana criminal defense Lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Sharing Child Sexual Abuse Material Via Social Media

Seth Harms, 31, of Mount Vernon, Indiana, ws sentenced to six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of distribution of child sexual abuse material.



According to court documents, between November 22, and December 8 of 2021, Harms used the screen name "monstere98” to send multiple videos and images of child sexual abuse material to other users using an online communications platform. One video contained a prepubescent female undressing and engaging in sexually explicit conduct.



On December 8, 2021, Harms was interviewed at his home by local law enforcement officers and admitted to viewing sexually explicit material involving minors on his cell phone as recently as a couple of hours before the investigators arrived. Additionally, Harms admitted to using the platform to communicate with other individuals who would send him internet file links for child sexual abuse material.



"Predators like this defendant use online platforms to exploit children and seek affirmation from others who share their sexual interest in minors. Survivors of child sexual abuse are retraumatized every single time the evidence of their abuse is shared,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. "My office and our law enforcement partners at the FBI are dedicated to protecting children from those interested in their exploitation by identifying and sending them to federal prison.”



The FBI investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Young. Judge Young also ordered that Harms be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for five years following his release from federal prison and register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, and goes to school.



U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case.



This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

JUDGMENT as to SETH A HARMS (1) - Defendant pleaded guilty to Counts 1 and 3. Counts 2 and 4 are dismissed in the motion of the United States. IMPRISONMENT: 72 months on each of Counts 1 and 3, to be served concurrently. SUPERVISED RELEASE: 5 years on each of Counts 1 and 3, to be served concurrently. S.A. FEE: $200.00. RESTITUTION: $3,000.00. AVAA ASSESSMENT: $500.00. The Court makes the following recommendations to the Bureau of Prisons: The defendant be designated to a facility close to southern Indiana, specifically Marion, Illinois. It is also recommended the defendant be evaluated for sex offender treatment. (See Judgment.) Signed by District Judge Richard L. Young on 11/29/2023. Electronic notice to USM-C. (JSR) (Entered: 11/29/2023)