September 11, 2012
A former intelligence analyst in the military pleaded guilty to seven counts of distribution of child pornography. A judge sentenced Joseph Bell to 30 years in prison.
The FBI began investigating Bell in the winter of 2011. They were prepared to execute a search warrant on his house when he moved to Louisa. That is when he moved-in with a family with three young children.
On January 5, 2012 the Louisa County Sheriff's Office, FBI, and Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a joint search warrant. They found more than 400 images and videos of suspected child pornography.
The Commonwealth's Attorney office says one of the young children living in the house told officers of inappropriate touching by Bell. The Commonwealth's Attorney says Bell was not charged with that crime because they did not want the child to testify and felt they could get a significant sentence on the internet crimes.
In addition to serving 30 years in prison, Bell has been ordered to pay $18,000 in restitution.
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