Four Northwest Arkansas Residents Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child Exploitation Crimes | The Arkansas Democratic Gazette

Four northwest Arkansas residents were recently sentenced to federal prison for child exploitation crimes, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Aaron Hudson, also known as Sophie Anne Hudson, 32, of Fayetteville, was sentenced May 23 to six years in federal prison after being convicted of possession of child pornography.

In December 2021, agents and agents with the Homeland Security Investigations Task Force received information that an individual had uploaded images of child sexual abuse to a website known to law enforcement as a platform for viewing and exchanging child pornography, according to court documents. Federal law enforcement searched Hudson's residence and discovered several images of child pornography as well as several child-sized dolls.

Nathan Scott Wright, 38, of Rogers, was sentenced May 24 to 50 years in federal prison after being convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor through the production and transportation of child pornography. In October 2022, agents and officers with the FBI task force received information that Wright had uploaded images to Google servers of him sexually abusing a female approximately 4 years old.

Deputies from the Benton County Sheriff's Office and the FBI searched Wright's residence and discovered several images of child pornography, including images of Wright sexually abusing at least one minor. Prosecutors presented evidence to the court during sentencing. Wright took images of himself sexually abusing a second minor.

Darlina Maree Jasso, 33, of Berryville, was sentenced May 9 to 10 years in federal prison after being convicted of transporting a minor across state lines to engage in sexual activity. A deputy with the Carroll County Sheriff's Office contacted the FBI in May 2022 after discovering that Jasso had transported a 15-year-old woman from Missouri to his residence in Berryville, according to court documents. The intent was for the teen and Jasso's boyfriend to engage in sexual activity, documents state.

Law enforcement discovered surveillance video on Jasso's phone capturing sexual activity between the two adults and the minor. Law enforcement also found text messages on the phone between the boyfriend and Jasso in which they detailed their plans to bring the minor to Arkansas and the sexual behavior they intended to engage in with the minor .

Charles Merchant, 32, of Berryville, was sentenced May 21 to eight years and four months in federal prison after being convicted of transporting child pornography. In August 2022, agents and agents with the Homeland Security Investigations Task Force received information that Merchant had uploaded images of child sexual abuse material to the social media platform KIK. Federal law enforcement searched Merchant's residence and discovered several images of child pornography.