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Date: 07-18-2018

Case Style:

United States of America v. Michael Vandergriff

Western District of Missouri Federal Courthouse - Kansas City, Missouri

Case Number: 4:17-cr-00041-BCW

Judge: Brian C. Wimes

Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri (Jackson County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Catherine A. Connelly

Defendant's Attorney: William J. Raymond and

Description: Kansas City, MO - KC Man Sentenced to 11 Years for Child Pornography

A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court on July 13, 2018 for sharing child pornography over the Internet.

Michael Vandergriff, 56, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 11 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Vandergriff to supervised release for the rest of his life following incarceration.

On Feb. 6, 2018, Vandergriff pleaded guilty to attempting to distribute child pornography. Vandergriff admitted that he shared videos and images of child pornography over the Internet via peer-to-peer file-sharing networks.

On April 2, 2015, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Vandergriff’s residence and seized numerous electronic items. According to court documents, a forensic examination established that Vandergriff had no less than 6,500 video and image files depicting child pornography. The seized media also included obscene images depicting minors in bondage and bestiality. Vandergriff appeared to utilize a hidden camera to record images of minors.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers downloaded a total of at least 1,821 video and image files of child pornography, some of which was particularly graphic, on seven separate occasions from Vandergriff’s computer during their investigation from Sept. 17, 2014, to Feb. 26, 2015.

This case was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.


Project Safe Childhood
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 the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

Outcome: 07/13/2018 47 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Brian C. Wimes: SENTENCING held on 7/13/2018 for Michael Vandergriff (1), Count 2. Dft pled guilty to Count 2 on February 6, 2018. Dft sentenced to FBOP for 132 months. Court recommends placement at FMC Carswell, TX and Sex Offender Treatment Program. Dft shall be on supervised release for a term of LIFETIME. Standard, Mandatory and Special conditions imposed. MSA: $100; fine waived; no restitution. Dft advised of right to appeal; remanded to custody of USM.; Count(s) 3-6, Count(s) 1 and 3 through 6 are dismissed on the motion of the United States. Count(s) 1 and 3 through 6 are dismissed on the motion of the United States. Counsel appearing for USA: Catherine Connelly. Counsel appearing for Defendant: Bill Raymond, FPD. Pretrial/Probation Officer: Penney Hodges for Angela Palmerton. Time in court: 11:47 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. To order a transcript of this hearing please contact Barbara Barnard, 816-512-5622. This is a TEXT ONLY ENTRY. No document is attached. (Baldwin, Joella) (Entered: 07/13/2018)
07/13/2018 48 JUDGMENT and COMMITMENT as to Michael Vandergriff (1). Signed on 7/13/2018 by District Judge Brian C. Wimes.(Travis, Kendra) (Entered: 07/13/2018)

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