An Orlando man who attempted to destroy a laptop and external hard drive that were filled with files depicting child pornography has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison.
Christian Tristan McKie, 39, was sentenced for distribution and possession of child sexual abuse materials by U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger in Middle District of Florida court.
According to the plea agreement, law enforcement authorities originally received a CyberTip regarding a user distributing child sex abuse images and videos through social media. During their investigation into the tip, authorities determined that McKie was the original uploader of the child pornography.
While executing a search warrant at McKie’s residence, law enforcement seized multiple electronic devices belonging to McKie, including a damaged laptop under his bed, and an external hard drive that was broken into pieces and stashed behind a freezer.
Law enforcement also found a folder containing McKie’s handwritten stories describing the sexual abuse of children between the ages of five and sixteen years old.
A forensic examination of McKie’s devices revealed several videos and images of child sexual abuse materials.
During an interview with law enforcement, McKie admitted to viewing and trading child pornography.
In addition to the prison term, McKie, who pled guilty on June 29, 2023, was ordered to forfeit an external hard drive, a laptop, and a thumb drive that were used to commit the offenses.