Blackfoot man indicted on child porn charge: Images ‘too prevalent’ on Web

An eastern Idaho man is under federal indictment for possessing thousands of child pornography images, our station has learned.

Gary Lee Reed of Blackfoot was arrested by federal agents onboard a cruise ship off the Florida coast in December.

On Wednesday, reporter Caleb James went to Reed’s home. Reed said the images were too accessible, and they drew him in.

Reed represents a growing number of individuals fueling the $3 billion child pornography industry.

According to Internet Watch Foundation, there are more than 1,500 websites hosting images of exploited children. The latest FBI data shows an over 2,000% increase in child pornography-related arrests made between 1996 and 2005.

“I have seen an increase over the years,” said Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center behavioral health therapist Brett Nelson.

On Thursday, Nelson said the number of patients he’s seen in eastern Idaho seeking treatment for addiction to child pornography has increased.

“Part of that can be the accessibility,” said Nelson.

Child pornography is increasingly accessible. The FBI reports cases involving child porn account for 38 percent of cybercrime investigated by the bureau.

One of the thousands of child pornography arrests made by the bureau is Reed, indicted in December by a federal grand jury for possession of 1,162 images and videos depicting child pornography.

On Wednesday, reporter Caleb James spoke to Reed at his home, where he’s awaiting a March trial date.

Reed told James child pornography shouldn’t be on the Internet, that he stumbled upon images and drew an interest.

On Thursday, Nelson said the Internet has increased accessibility, but when an individual like Reed offers accessibility as an excuse, mental health experts worry.

“They don’t see it as a problem,” said Nelson. “Someone else, or something else, such as the Internet, provided this for me. Therefore it is the fault of that, as opposed to any responsibility I have.”

Nelson said denial of an addiction will prolong that addiction and make re-offense probable.

In the case of child pornography, re-offense fuels a heartbreaking cycle.

Reed’s indictment shows roughly 350 of the victims in his videos have already been identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Nelson said parents need to be open and direct with their children about sexual abuse.

If parents suspect their child has been exploited in any way, Nelson said to call police.