Bonneville County Man Sent to Jail for Distributing Child Abuse Material

(BOISE) – Attorney General Raul Labrador announced that Elias Daniel Medina, 27, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child by distribution of sexually exploitative material, a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and one count of sexual exploitation of a child by possession of sexually exploitative material, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Medina was sentenced by Bonneville County District Judge Bruce Pickett on September 18, 2024.

“Our ICAC investigators and prosecutors work hard to keep predators off the streets and bring justice to these tragically young victims,” said Attorney General Labrador. “I am grateful for the partnerships built across the state and the awareness created in our communities, and for the judges who take these crimes seriously when determining sentences.”

In October 2023, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received multiple CyberTips indicating that files containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) were located on Medina’s accounts. After obtaining search warrants, agents searched Medina’s home and devices and found hundreds of files containing CSAM. Investigators also discovered that Medina was distributing files containing CSAM to other Internet users. The files depicted underage females ranging in age from approximately 3 to 13. Many of the files depicted the minors engaging in sexual acts with adult males.

Judge Pickett sentenced Medina to a total of 15 years with 2 years fixed and 13 years indeterminate. Medina was ordered to pay Bonneville County a fee for his representation and court costs and fees. Upon release, Medina will be required to register as a sex offender under Idaho law.

The investigation was led by Idaho Falls Police Detective Jared Mendenhall, who works in the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Madison Allen.