TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTW/WAWO) — Paul Hoopingarner, 62, of Terre Haute, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to three counts of distribution of child sexual abuse material, three counts of receiving child sexual abuse material, and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material.

“Hoopingarner used the screenname “domeeasey69” to communicate and share images and videos of adults engaged in sex acts with children with others who were also sexually interested in children. The material Hoopingarner shared and stored included depictions of the sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence as well as depictions of the sexual abuse of toddlers and infants,” a release from the U.S. Southern District Court of Indiana reads.

Hoopingarner’s history of dangerous sexual offenses dates back to 1996 when he was convicted of child molestation in Morgan County, Indiana.

“Pedophiles use the perceived anonymity of communications apps to share horrific images of child sex abuse and communicate with like-minded criminals,” said United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “This defendant engaged in a series of horrific crimes and abuses against children, online and off, and he has now been held accountable for his actions. Thanks to the outstanding work of the Secret Service, Indiana State Police, and our federal prosecutor, the serious federal prison sentence imposed here ensures that he will never again harm a child.” 

The United States Secret Service and Indiana State Police investigated Hoopingarner’s case. 

This case was launched as a part of the Project Safe Childhood program, a nationwide effort organized by the Department of Justice since 2006 to fight back against the increase of child sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit the Department of Justice website.