Charlyna Butterworth, a 29-year-old resident of Aurora, Colorado, has been sentenced to 36 years in prison and will be subject to supervised release for life. The sentencing follows her guilty plea to one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.
Court documents indicate that Butterworth repeatedly sexually abused three minors under the age of five while they were in her care. She also created material documenting the abuse.
“This is a serious sentence for a serious crime,” said United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly. “I am grateful that this individual is no longer in a position to harm another child.”
The sentencing was overseen by United States District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Denver Field Office, and Assistant United States Attorney Alecia L. Riewerts prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. The program coordinates federal, state, and local resources to identify offenders who exploit children online and works to rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
