Somerset man sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for attempted child pornography production

A Somerset man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after federal authorities charged him with attempting to produce child pornography, according to a WKYT report. B.J. Thomason, 38, of Somerset, was sentenced following the resolution of federal criminal charges tied to alleged attempts to create and distribute illegal images involving minors.

WKYT reported that Thomason’s case was handled in federal court and resulted in the prison term announced after sentencing. The report described the charge as attempted production of child pornography, a federal offense with significant penalties reflecting the government’s view of the harm and long-term impact of sexual exploitation of children.

Federal cases of this type typically proceed through the U.S. Attorney’s Office and are prosecuted under federal criminal statutes that address not only completed production and distribution, but also attempts to create or produce material. In Thomason’s case, the federal charge focused on an attempt rather than a completed production count, as described by WKYT.

As part of sentencing, the court determined an appropriate term of imprisonment based on the federal sentencing framework and the facts presented in the case. WKYT’s report said Thomason will serve approximately 15 years in prison, underscoring the seriousness with which federal judges treat conduct involving child sexual exploitation.

The sentencing concludes the criminal case against Thomason in federal court, unless the defendant pursues an appeal. WKYT did not detail any additional outcomes such as supervised release length, restitution, or specific conditions, and those elements are not included here.

The case represents another instance of federal efforts to prevent the creation and spread of child sexual abuse material, including through enforcement aimed at conduct that begins but may not be fully completed. For Kentucky communities, cases like this also reinforce the role of federal prosecutions in cases involving online or otherwise distributed child sexual exploitation allegations.