BENTON, Ill. — A federal judge has sentenced 57-year-old Edward J. Bates, a registered sex offender formerly of Olney, to 35 years in prison after he admitted to distributing child pornography and sending obscene material to a minor.
Bates pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges, including felon in possession of a firearm, distribution of child pornography, two counts of attempted transfer of obscene matter to a minor, and committing an offense while required to register as a sex offender. After completing his prison term, he will remain on supervised release for life.
According to court records, Bates distributed child pornography in Richland County on January 26, 2022. In April 2023, he sent sexually explicit material to a 10-year-old child. He was later found in possession of two firearms and ammunition on June 4, 2024, despite being prohibited from having them due to prior felony convictions.
Bates has two previous child pornography convictions and was legally required to register as a sex offender. Authorities seized a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a .38 caliber revolver, and ammunition as part of the investigation.
The case was investigated by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri Highway Patrol, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Sanders prosecuted.
