OMAHA, Neb. -- A 43-year-old Omaha man was sentenced in federal court on child pornography charges on Thursday.

U.S. Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Kevin Watson was sentenced to seven years in prison for possession of child pornography. There is no parole in the federal system.  After completing his term of imprisonment, Watson will begin a five-year term of supervised release.  Watson must also pay $3,000 in restitution.

On April 28, 2020, law enforcement officials partially downloaded a torrent file containing child pornography from Watson’s residence in Omaha. Watson had made the child pornography available for downloading, law enforcement officials said.

Ten days later, officers executed a search warrant at Watson’s Omaha residence and obtained his laptop computer. Officers located at least 12 images and 15 videos of child pornography on the laptop. Watson admitted to possessing the child pornography on the laptop and to using FrostWire and Limewire to locate child pornography.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and tried in federal court in Omaha. U.S. District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher handled the sentencing on Thursday.