North Iowa Man Sentenced to Over 7 Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography

A north Iowa has been sentenced to over seven years in federal prison for possession of child pornography following an investigation that involved the Charles City Police Department (CCPD).

Evidence at the hearings showed that, between January 2021 and August 2022, 57-year-old Scott Devries of Hardy (in Humboldt County), possessed and received visual depictions of child pornography, which included prepubescent minors or a minor under the age of 12.  While executing a search warrant, law enforcement discovered 20 electronic devices that contained child sexual abuse material.  

Forensic analysis of those devices found over 1.6 million images of child pornography, some of which involved material that portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct including the violent sexual torture of children as well as the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers.

In April, Devries pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. On Friday (Sept. 11),  United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Devries to 90 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release following prison.  There is no parole in the federal system.  

Devries must also pay almost $40,000 in restitution to the victims in the case. He remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.   

 The case was investigated by Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, CCPD, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.