Des Moines Sun

An Illinois man, Anthony Alan Anderson, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for enticing and attempting to entice a minor into illegal sexual activities. The sentence was handed down on January 17, 2025.

Court documents reveal that in 2020, Anderson, then serving in the United States Air Force, was convicted through a general court martial for attempting lewd acts with someone he believed to be under the age of 16. This conviction required him to register as a sex offender upon moving to Illinois in 2022.

From May to November 2023, Anderson communicated via text messaging and social media with a 14-year-old from Ottumwa, Iowa. He persuaded the minor to produce and send child pornography. In September of that year, Anderson traveled from Illinois to Ottumwa and took the child to a hotel where they engaged in sexual acts. He also recorded child sexual abuse material during this encounter.

Following his prison term, Anderson will undergo ten years of supervised release. The federal system does not offer parole.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal from the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentencing. The investigation was conducted by the Ottumwa Police Department with help from the Illinois State Police.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 aimed at protecting children from exploitation and abuse. It combines efforts from various levels of law enforcement to prosecute offenders and rescue victims. More information on internet safety can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc under the resources tab.