Yakima Child Porn Suspect Sentence Vacated, Then ‘Doubled’

Federal officials say a 36-year-old Yakima man will be spending 25 years in prison, then a lifetime of court-law enforcement supervision.

James Lee Crooker originally pleaded guilty to one account of child porn, but according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern WA Divison:

"..(Crooker)''plead guilty to three counts of attempted production of child pornography, each involving a different victim, on June 17, 2020.  Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Crooker to a 25-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison."

This is an increase of his previous plea of one count from 2020. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the investigation revealed extensive activity on his part in a child porn scheme:

"According to information disclosed during court proceedings, the investigation began after law enforcement received information about sexually-explicit communications on a cellular telephone between a 15-year-old developmentally delayed child and a then 32-year-old male, James Lee Crooker. Investigators quickly determined Crooker was a registered sex offender. "

During this time, Facebook monitors reported activity to authorities that Crooker was also corresponding in a similar manner with a 13-year-old in Ohio. In November 2019 authorities learned of another child, a 16-year-old who was involved in similar activity with the suspect; but she had also had a sexual relationship with him.

U.S. Attorney's office officials said the length of Crooker's sentence was in direct proportion to his criminal activity, and shows crimes such as these will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.