Australian man arrested in Arkansas child sex crimes sting in Benton County gets federal prison time
He is set to appear in court next month on state charges
FAYETTEVILLE -- An Australian permanent resident has received more than 28 years in in federal prison without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty last year to possessing and distributing images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.
U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks sentenced 48-year-old Gabriel Perkhofer on Tuesday to 28 years and nine months in federal prison to be followed by lifetime supervised released for distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
Perkhofer was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Western District of Arkansas in July 2024 and entered a plea of guilty last December.
Perkhofer still faces state charges of internet stalking of a child, rape and distributing, possessing or viewing matter depicting child sexual abuse in Benton County. He has pleaded not guilty in that case and is set for a June 15 pretrial hearing.
Perkhofer was in Missouri visiting his girlfriend when he started communicating with the Benton County Sheriff's Office detective, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in the state case.
A user identifying himself as "Lucky Fluke" sent the messages, and the detective identified Perkhofer as the person communicating with her, the affidavit states.
Perkhofer sent the detective an image of a nude prepubescent girl and a 10-second video clip of a man involved in a sex act with a girl, the affidavit states.
Perkhofer described to the detective the sexual acts he wanted to do with her children. He also wanted to take sexual photos of them, according to the affidavit.
He arranged to travel to Bentonville and wanted to meet the children's mother first, then continue the sexual relationship with the family, the affidavit states.
Perkhofer was arrested when he arrived at the meeting location, according to the affidavit.
A subsequent review of Perkhofer's phone revealed a large, years-long collection of child sexual abuse videos and images and extensive communications between Perkhofer and other child sex crimes offenders, according to a Thursday news release from the U.S. Department of Justice announcing his federal sentencing.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Benton County Sheriff's Office investigated the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice, according to a news release from the department.
Ludington man sentenced to 17-60 years in prison in child sexual assault case
- Updated
Bradley Curtis Drake, 29, was sentenced May 12 by Mason County 51st Circuit Court Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. Court records show Drake entered a no contest plea March 12 to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a minor.
According to the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Drake sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl known to him in 2022.
“Those who prey upon children will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Nessel said in a statement. “I am grateful for the diligent efforts of the Mason County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Mason County Sheriff’s Department, and the prosecutors in my office for ensuring this perpetrator is held accountable for such a heinous crime.”
The attorney general’s office stated Drake began requesting sexually explicit pictures and videos from the victim and sexually assaulting her in January 2022. The abuse was reported in December 2022.
Court records show Drake received credit for 462 days already served and was ordered to pay $198 in costs and assessments. Court records also indicate the sentence will run concurrently.
As part of a plea agreement, additional charges in two related Mason County circuit court cases were dismissed without prejudice, including charges of using a computer to commit a crime, child sexually abusive activity, unlawful imprisonment, possession of child sexually abusive material, interfering with electronic communications, and domestic violence.
Court records show Drake also has a prior Mason County conviction for first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Greeley police arrest registered child sex offender on 56 charges
DENVER (KDVR) — Greeley police arrested a registered child sex offender on 56 felony charges, according to a press release from the Greeley Police Department on Thursday.
On May 8, the Greeley Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit arrested 44-year-old Nathan Burton after an investigation into the sexual exploitation of children.
Several Cybertips reported that Burton was in possession of child sexual abuse material.
The unit acquired search warrants for places in Greeley and Fort Collins. They executed the warrants alongside the Fort Collins Police Department and seized significant amounts of evidence, which helped investigators identify victims in the case, according to the release.
Burton was arrested on 56 felony charges of sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child sexual abuse material.
He is being held at the Weld County Jail on a $300,000 cash/surety bond.
Investigators believe that there may be additional victims and encourage anyone who may have had contact with Burton to contact the Greeley Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit by reaching out to Detective Joseph Rosengrants.
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