Following a 4-day trial, a jury found Jerry Stinnett, 65, guilty on two felony counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child.
In July of 2020, the internet service provider (ISP) Yahoo! filed a CyberTip report with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The report disclosed that one of its users uploaded and shared child pornography.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children obtained an IP address from Yahoo! and was able to pinpoint the computer’s location in Colorado.
In October 2020, the Colorado Springs Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force submitted a federal subpoena to obtain more specific subscriber information for the IP Address. Information obtained from the subpoena linked the IP address to Stinnett’s home in Aurora. Based on this discovery, the Colorado Springs ICAC Task Force turned the case over to the Aurora Police Department.
As part of the investigation, a search warrant was executed at Stinnett’s home. Multiple computers, tablets and cell phones were confiscated. During a search of the devices, detectives found three dozen sexually explicit images and videos of underage boys and girls.
Stinnett was formally charged and convicted at trial of the following offenses.
Sexual Exploitation of a Child – 20+ Items (Video)
(Class 4 felony)
Sexual Exploitation of a Child -Possession of Pornographic Material
(Class 5 felony)
“Perpetrators of these kinds of crimes need to know they can’t hide behind screens,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Joel Zink. “Each unthinkable image and video circulated online signifies yet another child subjected to horrific victimization. This case exemplifies our unwavering resolve, in collaboration with law enforcement, to diligently pursue justice for these vulnerable child victims.”
Stinnett worked in law enforcement for 2 decades prior retiring in 2013.
Sentencing is set for July 5. He faces up to six years in the Department of Corrections and must register as a sex offender.
“Regardless of this defendant’s past law enforcement connections, we do not give special treatment to offenders who break the law,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “He was entrusted by his community for many years as an officer, which makes his actions behind closed doors even more egregious.”
