COEUR d’ALENE — A Moscow man will spend 15 years in federal prison for distributing child sexual abuse material, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.

Joshua J. Downer, 39, pleaded guilty in September to the distribution of child pornography, according to court records. 

Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye sentenced Downer to 15 years in prison, after which Downer must serve a lifetime of supervised release and pay $12,000 in restitution to four victims in the images he possessed. Downer will be required to continue to register as a sex offender. 

“The defendant in this case earned every day of his sentence,” U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit said in a news release. “Together with our law enforcement partners, our office remains focused not only on holding accountable anyone who would distribute child sexual abuse materials, but also supporting victims and seeking restitution on their behalf.” 

The charges stem from early 2024 when an email provider reported to law enforcement that an individual had used the service to distribute child sexual abuse material from multiple related email addresses. 

Police traced the email addresses to a Moscow address where Downer lived. At that time, Downer was a registered sex offender on federal supervision for a 2011 conviction related to child sexual abuse material. 

Law enforcement searched Downer’s home in February 2024 and found a tablet, which Downer was not prohibited from possessing while under federal supervision, authorities said. 

A forensic analysis of the device yielded images and videos depicting child sexual abuse, as well as “evidence indicating that Downer was using the tablet to distribute child sexual abuse material to others,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

“Every time child sexual abuse material is shared and viewed on the internet, it revictimizes the child,” Acting Special Agent in Charge Albert Kelly of the Salt Lake City FBI said in a news release. “Any form of child abuse leaves a profound and enduring effect on an innocent victim. The FBI and our partners are committed to protecting children from such harm and exploitation.” 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse, reach Safe Passage 24/7 by calling 208-664-9303 or texting 208-449-7228.