COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus sex offender was sentenced to 35 years in prison Wednesday on child sexual abuse material charges, according to U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker.
Parker's office said 38-year-old Jeremiah Morrison obtained images and videos depicting the torture, mutilation and murder of children on the dark web and traded them for child sexual abuse photos and videos.
Earlier this year he pleaded guilty to distributing child sexual abuse images, possessing child sexual abuse images and transporting obscene matter.
“The horrors in the files that Morrison collected, viewed, possessed, distributed and discussed on the dark web are so devoid of humanity, it is truly hard to put into words,” said Parker. “We cannot allow individuals like Morrison to remain in society. He’s a danger to society and should be imprisoned. May today’s sentencing provide justice for the victims and their families.”
The Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received information in April 2023 related to Morrison uploading child sexual abuse material.
While executing a search warrant in June 2023, investigators discovered Morrison’s cell phone contained 3,000 images and 900 videos of child sexual abuse material.
In addition to the child sexual abuse material recovered on the device, investigators also discovered numerous images and videos depicting the torture, mutilation and killing of children. Morrison would get these videos to trade with others to collect child sexual abuse material for himself.
Morrison has been convicted of crimes against children two other times, including a 2012 conviction for filming an 11-year-old boy under a bathroom stall divider at the Columbus Metropolitan Library.
He was sentenced to remain under court supervision for life after the completion of his prison sentence. He was also sentenced to pay restitution to victims of at least $3,000 per victim.
The number of victims and actual restitution will be determined by the Court.