An Atlas Township man charged with distributing and manufacturing child pornography has been sentenced to 18-40 years in prison.
Paul Christian, 40, was sentenced by Judge Geoffrey Neithercut in Genesee County Circuit Court on Oct. 12.
Christian was arrested and charged with two counts of distributing and manufacturing child pornography, and three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct following a June 10 9-1-1 call made by a female relative regarding Chirstian’s actions with another young, female relative. The charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years. A first-degree criminal sexual conduct conviction carries a life in prison sentence.
Captain Christopher Swanson of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department said when Christian’s home was searched, officials found ‘boxes and boxes? of adult pornographic materials.
‘At that point, we seized the computer terminal that has the data on it,? Swanson told The Citizen in July.
After a plea of ‘no contest?, Christian was sentenced to: 7 years, 11 months to 15 years for third degree criminal sexual conduct; 18 years, 4 months to 41 years, 8 months for first degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under the age of 13 and 7 years, 11 months to 20 years for using a computer to commit a crime.
‘The bottom line is, this guy’s going away for a long time,? said Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton.
‘I think that justice has been served for the victims,? said Leyton, ‘and I think that the community is much safer knowing (Christian) will be incarcerated for a very long time.?