A Great Falls resident is facing federal child pornography charges after a collaborative investigation by the U.S. Secret Service, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. 

Cassidy Winters, 26, was indicted in early September and charged later that month with four counts of possession and intent to distribute child pornography. Charging documents gave little details about the case other than the fact that Winters was allegedly found in March with child pornography.

Authorities said they could not comment on the case until after a December trial, but did stress the importance of investigation of Internet crimes that target children.

Flathead County is one of the few counties in Montana that devotes a full-time deputy to the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a group that works to target those who use the web to exploit or harm children.

“They have a lot of cases,” Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said. “They are busy. I feel it is hugely important. Cybercrime in general is growing and certainly people who traffic in child pornography and target our kids online, we have to pay attention to that. I think it is an area law enforcement has traditionally not paid attention to.”

Winters has been released from custody but is not allowed to use computers until the trial. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.

Authorities also want Winters to forfeit the computers used in the alleged crimes.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or by email at [email protected].