HARTFORD CITY, Ind. — A Blackford County man convicted of two counts of child exploitation has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Matthew D. Ely, 36, of Montpelier, had pleaded guilty to two Level 4 felonies, each carrying up to 12 years in prison. He was sentenced on Monday, April 27, by Blackford Circuit Court Judge Brian Bade.
On each count, Ely received a 12-year sentence: nine years of incarceration followed by three years on probation.
According to Chief Deputy Prosecutor Steve Sneed, the two sentences will be served consecutively.
Investigators with the Hartford City Police Department and Blackford County Sheriff’s Department — members of the Blackford County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force — began a probe that led to Ely’s arrest based on a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to AN affidavit.
Investigators linked videos, one showing an infant being sexually abused, to an email address belonging to Ely.
A search warrant was served at Ely’s Montpelier apartment in July 2024, resulting in the seizure of cell phones, a plastic bag containing marijuana and a “glass smoking device.”
During an interview, the Blackford County man acknowledged “trading pictures with other (online) users and that nothing sent was produced by him.”
A plea agreement called for dismissal of a third exploitation charge, and misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.
Ely received credit for 649 days already served in the Blackford County Jail.
Upon his release from prison, he will be required for the rest of his life to register as a sex offender with authorities in the communities where he lives and works.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Blackford County man draws 18-year sentence for child exploitation
Reporting by Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
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