Louisville City Wire

A former soldier from Fort Campbell has been sentenced to five years and four months in federal prison for offenses related to child exploitation. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office.

Brett Nicolas Ellison, aged 24, received his sentence after being convicted on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography. Court documents reveal that between November 2019 and June 2022, while stationed at Fort Campbell Army Post, Ellison possessed over 90 images and 70 videos containing child sexual abuse material.

In addition to his prison term, Ellison will undergo five years of supervised release following his incarceration. He has also been ordered to pay $57,000 in restitution to the victims involved in the case.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Hopkinsville Satellite Office alongside Army CID. Assistant U.S. Attorney Raymond McGee from the Paducah Branch Office prosecuted the case.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project involves collaboration among federal, state, and local resources to apprehend offenders and rescue victims.

For further details about Project Safe Childhood or internet safety education resources, individuals are encouraged to visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.