LOUISA, VA—A former intelligence analyst in the military with top secret security clearance was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted on seven counts of distribution of child pornography.
Joseph L. Bell, of Gordonsville, VA, was convicted on seven counts of distribution of child pornography after officers found more than 400 images and videos of child pornography.
Bell is a former intelligence analyst in the US military and served as a government contractor with a top secret security clearance.
The FBI launched an investigation of Bell in the winter of 2011, for suspicion of distribution of child pornography. Police said Bell moved into a Louisa County home with a family that included three young children.
The Louisa County Sheriff's office and the FBI executed a joint search warrant on January 5, 2012. During the execution of the search warrant, officers identified more than 400 images and videos of suspected child pornography.
One of the young children told officers Bell had touched them inappropriately, police said.
Officers said the decision was made to prosecute Bell for the Internet crimes, with the intention of obtaining a significant sentence without the need for the child to testify.
Bell was sentenced to 30 years in prison Bell ordered to pay mandatory restitution in the amount of $18,000.
Copyright 2012 by Young Broadcasting of Richmond
