By SYDNEY KENT
A man from Bluffton will spend the next year in prison after police located violent child pornography on his cell phone.
Jamie Lynn Bessent, 50, was sentenced to three years in the Indiana Department of Correction with two years suspended. Bessent was recommended for the SOMM program, a program for sexual abusers, and will be available for a sentence modification after completion.
The sentencing comes after Bessent pled guilty to possession of child pornography, a Level 5 felony. Two additional charges for possession of child pornography were dismissed pursuant to the plea agreement.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Bessent was confronted by law enforcement in mid-February when he went to the Wells County Sheriff’s Department to update information related to being on the sex offender registry.
The Internet Crimes Against Children taskforce, reported that Bessent uploaded child sexual abuse material on Oct. 18 and Oct. 21 in 2022. When questioned about viewing the material, Bessent reportedly admitted to choosing to do so over 10 times in the past year.
An officer asked Bessent to view Bessent’s phone, and located a group titled “babysitting” in the Telegram app. Some of the photographs in the chat featured children as young as infants being forced into sexual acts.
During the hearing earlier this month, Bessent apologized for his behavior.
“I’m sorry for what I’ve done,” Bessent said. “I’m embarrassed. It’s destroyed me, I want to get help for it, I want to be able to say that I don’t want it, I can defeat it. To do that, I need help. And I’m strong enough to ask for help, and I’m asking for help. I have fought for this country … My addiction is a lack of fight, to fight this battle I need help.”
Prosecutor Jeff Stineburg acknowledged Besent’s service. He also pointed out that Bessent was already registered as a sex offender before this incident after he was charged for traveling to meet a minor.
Bessent’s defense, Patrick Miller, said that Bessent’s previous charge was concerning, but not the reason they were there.
“We’re here for possession of child pornography,” Miller said. “He didn’t travel, he watched it online. It’s an addiction. It’s a compulsion. He has indicated that he’s struggled with these issues for at least a decade.”
Judge Kenton Kiracofe considered the previous charge as an aggravating factor, and his service in the military as mitigating factor despite a dishonorable discharge.
“I think there’s some trauma that can occur, and he has incurred some trauma,” Kiracofe said. “He also incurred significant childhood sexual trauma … Not to excuse conduct here but I think it is connected.”
“I think there are some things that need to be worked on,” Kiracofe continued before recommending Bessent for the SOMM program. “I’m inclined to treat this like we would if this were a substance offense. There’s some services at DOC.”
Kiracofe concluded, “If you complete it, I will entertain a motion to modify your sentence. This puts the onus on you to complete that and get the treatment you said that you want.”
Bessent is also required to complete a period of probation upon release from incarceration.
sydney@news-banner.com
