LAFAYETTE, La. — A Louisiana man has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison for attempting to receive and distribute child pornography following an undercover online investigation, federal prosecutors announced.
United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller stated that Brad William Blanchard, 45, was sentenced to 150 months in prison for attempted receipt and attempted distribution of child pornography. United States District Judge David C. Joseph also ordered that Blanchard serve 20 years of supervised release after his prison term.
Supervised release is a period of court-ordered monitoring in the community that follows a prison sentence, during which offenders must comply with strict conditions and can be returned to prison if they violate them.
Undercover Online Investigation
According to information presented in court, law enforcement agents conducted an undercover investigation on an internet-based fetish forum. On that platform, agents began communicating with a user who expressed a sexual interest in underage children. The individual was later identified as Blanchard.
During those communications, Blanchard sent an undercover agent images of child sexual abuse material, commonly referred to as CSAM. The images depicted a minor victim.
After receiving the images, investigators were able to secure and execute search and arrest warrants for Blanchard’s person, residence, and electronic devices. When the warrants were carried out, Blanchard admitted that he had sent the images of CSAM.
Role Of Co-Defendant Amy Kraft
Blanchard also told law enforcement that his girlfriend, Amy Kraft, had helped him obtain CSAM for his sexual gratification, according to court information.
Kraft, 49, was later arrested. She admitted that she had been involved in sending CSAM images to Blanchard to fulfill his sexual fantasies and gratification.
Kraft pleaded guilty to attempted distribution of child pornography. On October 1, 2025, she was sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $12,000 in restitution to the victims. Restitution is court-ordered financial compensation paid to victims for the harm they suffered.
Federal Investigation And Prosecution
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Danny Siefker is prosecuting the matter.
The case is part of a broader federal strategy to identify and stop individuals who exploit children online, and to locate and assist victims of child sexual abuse.
Part Of Project Safe Childhood
This prosecution was brought under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing problem of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, known as CEOS, Project Safe Childhood coordinates federal, state, and local resources to:
- Locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet
- Identify and rescue victims of child sexual exploitation
More information about Project Safe Childhood is available at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.