A. Courtney Cox, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on June 12, 2008, MARK C. HUFFSTATLER, age 33, of Vandalia, Illinois was sentenced in the United States District Court in Benton, Illinois. HUFFSTATLER was sentenced to 450 months (37 years, 6 months) imprisonment, fined $100, and placed on lifetime supervised release.

HUFFSTATLER had previously pleaded guilty to a one count Indictment which charged producing child pornography. HUFFSTATLER received an enhanced penalty because he had a prior felony conviction for sexual abuse of children.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Cyber Crimes Task Force and the Mt. Vernon Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with federal and state law enforcement authorities, is actively investigating and prosecuting individuals who produce, distribute, or possess child pornography. Anyone with information concerning the use of the Internet for the purposes of possessing, producing, or trafficking in child pornography is encouraged to contact their local police department or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George A. Norwood.