Bonneville County Man Sent to Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

[BOISE] - Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced that Elias Daniel Medina, 27, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child by Distribution of Sexually Exploitative Material, a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child by Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Medina was sentenced on September 18, 2024, by Bonneville County District Judge Bruce Pickett.

"Our ICAC investigators and prosecutors work hard to keep predators off the streets and to deliver justice for these tragically young victims," said Attorney General Labrador. "I'm grateful for the partnerships that have been built across the state and the awareness raised in our communities, and for the judges who take these crimes seriously when determining sentences."

In October 2023, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received multiple CyberTips indicating that files containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) were in accounts belonging to Medina. After obtaining search warrants, officers searched Medina's home and devices, locating hundreds of files containing CSAM. Investigators also found Medina was distributing files containing CSAM to other internet users. The files depicted minor females ranging from approximately 3 to 13 years old. Many of these files depicted the minors engaged in sex acts with adult men.

Judge Pickett sentenced Medina to a total of 15 years with 2 years fixed and 13 years indeterminate. Medina was ordered to pay reimbursement to Bonneville County for his representation and court costs and fees. Upon release, Medina will have to register as a sex offender pursuant to Idaho law.

The investigation was led by Detective Jared Mendenhall with the Idaho Falls Police Department, who serves in the Attorney General's ICAC Unit. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Madison Allen.