Missouri man sentenced to 30 years in prison in child porn case involving Beaufort Co. teen

WASHINGTON, N.C. (WNCT) — The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office reports a 2022 incident where a Missouri man tried to solicit child porn from a then 15-year-old female in the county has been sentenced.

Jason Bernard, 52, of Springfield, Mo., was sentenced to 30 years and five months in federal prison without parole, Beaufort County Sheriff Scott Hammonds said. He was found guilty after a federal investigation on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, Coercion/Enticement of a minor, and receipt/distribution of child pornography. He was also ordered to pay $171,000 in restitution.

Officials with the sheriff’s office were contacted on Jan. 27, 2022 about a sex offense involving a 15-year-old. Deputies learned the minor had been contacted by Bernard via Instagram and he solicited acts of child pornography. After the deputies were able to positively identify Bernard as the suspect, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of Homeland Security.

Hammonds encourages anyone with information regarding the exploitation or abuse of a child to contact the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 946-7111. You can also submit tips anonymously by contacting Beaufort County Crime Stoppers at (252) 974-6400 or submit confidential tips online at www.p3tips.com/195 .

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