SIOUX CITY, IOWA — Paul William Flett, 44, of Humboldt, Iowa, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for the sexual exploitation of a child. The sentencing took place on June 3, 2025, in U.S. District Court in Sioux City before Judge Leonard T. Strand. Flett pleaded guilty on January 23, 2025, to one count of sexually exploiting a minor.
Details of the Case
According to court records and evidence presented during the investigation, Flett used messaging platforms to send child pornography and solicit explicit photos and videos from underage girls.
On June 6, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Flett’s residence. During a consensual interview, Flett admitted to his actions and acknowledged that he hid his phone in a closet when agents arrived because he knew he was the target of the investigation.
A forensic analysis of Flett’s phone and Kik messenger account uncovered 16 videos and 60 images of child sexual abuse material. Some of this content was created at Flett’s request, with the victims themselves being instructed to record and send it. The materials included content depicting sadistic or masochistic conduct, and images of prepubescent children, infants, and toddlers.
Sentence and Penalties
Judge Strand sentenced Flett to:
- 180 months (15 years) in federal prison
- $3,600 in restitution and special assessments
- 5 years of supervised release following his prison term
There is no parole in the federal system. Flett remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until he is transferred to a designated federal prison.
Investigation and Prosecution
This case was investigated by the:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Cyber-Crime Unit
- Webster County Sheriff’s Office (Missouri)
It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kraig R. Hamit.
Project Safe Childhood
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute offenders, as well as identify and rescue victims.
For more information, visit www.justice.gov/psc. To access educational resources on internet safety, click on the “resources” tab on the site.
