A former paramedic from Florida has been sentenced to 70 years in prison after being convicted of child pornography and the sexual abuse of his one-year-old daughter. James Lockhart, 31, was sentenced after pleading guilty to producing, distributing, and possessing child pornography. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced the sentencing on Thursday.
Lockhart created a series of four videos between March 2016 and February 2018 depicting himself raping his one-year-old daughter. He then uploaded these videos to dark web forums using the screen names “StrangeWood” and “HardWood,” according to court records reported by the New York Post.
Investigators discovered additional videos and photos of the baby being sexually abused on Lockhart’s devices. Lockhart’s wife, the mother of his two children, identified the baby in the videos as their daughter and recognized her husband’s hand, according to Newsweek. The Bradenton, Fla., man also reportedly bragged about sexually abusing another one-year-old child, authorities said.
Lockhart was arrested on Oct. 5, 2018, after Homeland Security agents searched his home and found the disturbing images on his computer, according to The Miami Herald. His devices contained a collection of child pornography that included 4,000 images and 43 videos.
Michael B. Cochran, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations Tampa, stated, “This deviant committed the most horrible atrocities imaginable to a one-year-old child. HSI’s national and international partnerships have helped ensure that this predator will never again harm a child.”
The case highlights the disturbing reality of crimes against children and the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to combat such heinous acts. The 70-year sentence reflects the severity of Lockhart’s crimes and aims to protect society from further harm. The dark web’s role in facilitating the distribution of such content underscores the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to identify and prosecute offenders. This sentence sends a clear message that such crimes will not be tolerated.