Cedar Rapids man faces up to 40 years for sex exploitation of children, child porn

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man who sexually exploited children and possessed child pornography was convicted last week in federal court and faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and possibly more in prison.

Dawson Sanderson, 24, pleaded guilty to one count each of sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography. During the plea hearing, Sanderson admitted he solicited minors to produce and send him images of sexually explicit conduct in 2021. He also admitted to possessing child pornography.

U.S. District Chief Judge C.J. Williams will sentence Sanderson after a presentencing report is prepared. Sanderson remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.

He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and possibly up to 40 years in federal prison. He also will face supervised release for five years to life following his prison term.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Iowa State Patrol and Linn County Sheriff’s Office.

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