A Gold Beach, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today at the Federal Courthouse in Medford, for receiving and possessing child pornography.
Timothy Shaw Lair, 38, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, in July 2019, investigators from McMinnville Police Department notified the FBI after discovering an internet protocol (IP) address in Gold Beach that had accessed and downloaded child pornography. In November 2019, FBI agents executed a search warrant on the residence associated with the IP address and discovered child pornography on a computer in Lair’s rented bedroom. A forensic examination of Lair’s digital devices revealed dozens of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.
On December 4, 2019, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Lair with receipt and possession of child pornography and, on August 23, 2021, he pleaded guilty to both charges.
U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the McMinnville Police Department and Curry County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith R. Harper prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. Child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, child victims suffer re-victimization each time the image of their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s website at www.missingkids.org.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
