Brookville Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Receiving Child Pornography through App

DAYTON – Zachery Van Meter, 21, of Brookville, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 156 months in prison for receiving child pornography.

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Preble County Sheriff Michael L. Simpson and Perry Township Police Chief Bob Bowman announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose.

According to court documents, Van Meter created a Kik messenger app account in July 2016. From then until February 2017, Van Meter used Kik to receive images of child pornography from others and to communicate with others about the sexual exploitation of children.

During the course of these conversations, Van Meter took at least 15 photographs of clothed juveniles who were known to the defendant and sent these photographs to others in an effort to receive more child pornography files.

Van Meter received at least 30 sexually explicit photographs of children, including at least one that portrayed sadistic and/or masochistic conduct involving the binding of a child’s arms and legs by black material to a hook on the floor. Based on his conduct, Van Meter received a sentencing enhancement for engaging in a pattern of activity involving the sexual abuse or exploitation of minors.

Van Meter pleaded guilty in November 2017.

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, Preble County Sheriff’s Office and Perry Township Police Department, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Dominick S. Gerace, who is representing the United States in this case.