Johnston City man sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison for distributing child sexual abuse material
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
JOHNSTON CITY, Ill., (KBSI) — A Johnston City man has been sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material online.
Zachary R. Jones, 39, was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of distribution of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois.
Jones will also serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
According to court documents, Jones admitted to exchanging child sexual abuse material with others online in June and August 2025. Authorities said he possessed nearly 70 videos and images.
The investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provided a tip to authorities.
Prosecutors said Jones attempted to conceal his identity by using a virtual private network, or VPN, but investigators were able to identify him.
The FBI’s Springfield Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Sanders prosecuted it.
