US, UK Sex Offenders Sentenced: Seattle Man Gets 15 Years, Texas 50 Years, UK Suspends Sentence for 125,000 Images

In Seattle, Alan Lewis Meirhofer, 72, a repeat sex offender with prior convictions for burglary, kidnapping, and rape, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for receipt and possession of images of child sexual abuse. Meirhofer, who had previously been civilly committed for 17 years, exploited minors online and lured teenage boys to his home by offering gifts. His arrest followed 14 cyber tips and led to the discovery of illicit images on his electronic devices.

In Fort Worth, Texas, Jamie Hackney, 36, was sentenced to 600 months (50 years) in federal prison after pleading guilty to producing and transporting child pornography. The investigation, initiated by a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, uncovered forensic evidence of Hackney's involvement in creating and distributing child pornography.

In Arcadia, Florida, Colton Clark, 29, was arrested and charged with 24 counts of transmission and 10 counts of possession of child pornography, totaling 34 charges. The investigation began in 2024 after tips from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Clark is currently in custody.

In Northumberland, England, Paul Wallis, 48, a convicted sex offender, was sentenced to two years in prison for breaching a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order by befriending a family with a child. Wallis had previously been convicted of sexual offenses and was under a lifelong sexual harm prevention order.

In the United Kingdom, Peter Selby, 71, who identifies as transgender, avoided jail for the second time after being found in possession of 125,000 child sexual abuse images and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Selby received a 10-month suspended sentence for 18 months, a £100 fine, and rehabilitation program requirements. The court cited concerns over Selby's safety in custody due to transgender status.

In Utah, Samuel Mitchell, 41, of Herriman, made his first court appearance on six felony charges—five for sexual exploitation of a minor and one for enticing a minor—in connection with the case of a missing South Jordan teenager. Most charges are related to explicit images of other teenagers found during the investigation. Mitchell remains in custody pending a detention hearing.