The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas has released a quarterly update on child exploitation cases prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood during March, April and May.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide Department of Justice initiative created in 2006 to fight child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The program brings together federal, state and local resources to identify victims, investigate offenders and prosecute cases involving the exploitation of children, including offenses connected to the internet.
What Project Safe Childhood Does
Project Safe Childhood is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. Its goal is to strengthen investigations and prosecutions involving crimes against children.
In Kansas, federal prosecutors in Wichita, Topeka and Kansas City work on cases involving child exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said these prosecutors specialize in pursuing justice in serious cases involving vulnerable victims.
The latest update included both new indictments and sentencing outcomes.
Multiple Defendants Indicted In Kansas
During the three-month period, several defendants were indicted on charges related to child exploitation.
Ryan Brungardt, 37, of Salina, a former high school wrestling coach, was indicted on three counts of production of child pornography and one count of attempted production. Prosecutors said an additional count was pursued after discovery of a fourth alleged victim.
Dennis D. Dees, 39, of WaKeeney, was indicted on one count of possession of child pornography and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.
Joshua David Kolb, 43, of Independence, Missouri, was indicted on charges including production of child pornography, coercion and enticement of a minor, travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and interstate communications with a threat to injure.
Jesse William Laws, 46, of Leavenworth, was indicted on one count of possession of child pornography. Authorities said he was a registered sex offender with prior federal child pornography convictions.
Nicolas Perez-Paxtor, 40, of Guatemala, was indicted on unlawful reentry after deportation and attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
Devin Rich, 40, of Kansas City, Kansas, was indicted on six counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession.
Sentences Handed Down In Several Cases
The update also listed several sentencing outcomes.
Matthew William Brewer, 44, of Salina, was sentenced to 240 months in prison after pleading guilty to receipt of child pornography.
Frank Castro, 50, of Kansas City, Kansas, was sentenced to 110 months in prison after being convicted of receipt of child pornography following a bench trial.
Douglas Harpster, 53, of Salina, was sentenced to 78 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material.
Eric Holloway, 53, of Clay Center, was sentenced to 135 months in prison and lifetime supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material.
Addilynn Jean Onuffer, 22, of Haysville, was sentenced to 160 months in prison after pleading guilty to distribution of child pornography.
Michael Pinkerton, 48, of Topeka, was sentenced to 137 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography.
Legal Process Continues
Indictments are formal accusations, not convictions. Defendants charged in pending cases are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The District of Kansas update shows continued federal prosecution of child exploitation cases under Project Safe Childhood.
With multiple indictments and lengthy prison sentences reported during March, April and May, federal officials say the initiative remains focused on protecting children, identifying victims and holding offenders accountable through coordinated law enforcement action.