REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSE

Spokane, Washington - On March 11, 2026, United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Steven Eric Prestwood, age 39, to 15 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime term of supervised release after pleading guilty to receipt of child pornography. The Court also imposed $72,000 in restitution to go to the known victims portrayed in the images and ordered Prestwood to comply with sex offender registration requirements amongst several other stringent conditions upon release from prison.

According to court documents, in April 2025, the Spokane County Sheriff's Office received multiple tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding uploads of child sexual abuse material linked to an online messaging account associated with Prestwood. Investigators identified communications in which Prestwood sought and received explicit images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of minors, including prepubescent children and infants.

Law enforcement officers later arrested Prestwood and seized Prestwood's cellular phone. A forensic examination revealed hundreds of images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children. Many of the files involved extremely violent and sadistic conduct against young victims. Investigators also determined that hundreds of the images and videos had previously been identified by NCMEC and were linked to numerous known child victims.

Prestwood was previously convicted in 2021 in Spokane County Superior Court for possession of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. At the time of the federal offense, he was a registered sex offender and was out of compliance with registration requirements.

In imposing sentence, the Court found that a significant term of imprisonment was necessary to reflect the seriousness of the offense, promote respect for the law, provide just punishment, protect the public, and deter future criminal conduct. The Court sentenced Prestwood to 180 months (15 years) in federal custody, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release.

"This sentence reflects the grave harm caused by the exploitation of children and the continued danger posed by repeat offenders," said First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano. "The Department of Justice remains committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who seek out and distribute child sexual abuse material."

"This case is extremely disturbing, made even more so by the fact that he did not learn his lesson from his last offense and continued his harmful behavior," said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. "Mr. Prestwood not only possessed thousands of meticulously organized images and videos of child sexual abuse, but much of it was especially violent, even depicting the torture of children. I'm grateful for the law enforcement officers and prosecutors who investigate these horrifying cases to hold dangerous child predators accountable."

"Sexual predators forever alter the lives of the innocent children they victimize," said Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels. "Working together with NCMEC and our local, state, and federal partners, we will relentlessly work to identify and hold accountable those who exploit and harm the vulnerable children in our community."

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Spokane County Sheriff's Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alison L. Gregoire of the Eastern District of Washington.

For additional information, please contact the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington.

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