Ireland man sentenced in child porn case
Jasper — Former-Boy Scout Executive Ryan C. Bieler, 34, was sentenced to 6 ½ years in federal prison on July 3.
Bieler pleaded guilty to six charges in April in U.S. District Court at Evansville.
Last Wednesday, Chief Judge Richard L. Young handed down sentence lower than the 87-months recommended by lead prosecutor Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Shellenbarger. At the completion of his prison sentence, Bieler will serve ten years in a federally-supervised release program.
A joint investigation involving the United States Postal Inspection Service and foreign law enforcement officials began in October 2010, centering on a movie production company located outside the United States. On May 1, 2011, a search warrant was executed at offices owned by this company, and law enforcement seized hundreds of DVD movies and photographs allegedly depicting sexually explicit conduct by children. It was allegedly determined that these images and movies were being shipped worldwide, and documents listing customers were located and analyzed.
As a result of this investigation, it was alleged that a customer of the movie company was located in Ireland, Indiana, and the records identified that individual as Ryan Bieler. On November 1, 2012, a search warrant was issued for his address, and on November 8, 2012, that warrant was executed. The complaint alleges that Bieler was home during the search, and agreed to speak with investigators.
During the search of the defendant’s home, a number of data storage discs were allegedly located and preliminarily examined, including DVDs purchased from the international movie company. Many of these discs allegedly depict minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In addition, an initial forensic examination of the defendant’s home computer allegedly revealed more images and movies depicting child pornography. Bieler is alleged to have admitted to downloading and purchasing these materials during an interview with law enforcement.
According to authorities, during the search Bieler admitted to law enforcement that he had a sexual interest in minor children, with the materials located indicating a strong interest in minor boys. Investigators also located written material in the defendant’s home in which Bieler describes his physical attraction to particular boys he has had access to and interaction with through his positions with the Boy Scouts of America.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Hogsett continues to assert that the Boy Scouts of America and the Buffalo Trace Council were fully cooperative with federal law enforcement in the investigation. The investigation has not revealed Bieler ever had physical contact with any minors while he worked with the Boy Scouts of America.
