Boyle County man convicted of making child pornography sentenced to life in prison
A man has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of forcing an underage girl to use methamphetamine and sexually abusing her while his girlfriend took video.
Richard Eugene Derringer, 47, of Junction City was convicted in August on multiple charges related to the creation and possession of child pornography, as well as a charge of distribution of methamphetamine, according to court records. He was acquitted on one count of attempted distribution of child pornography.
Derringer’s co-defendant, Jacquolyn Walls-Land, pleaded guilty to one count of using a minor to create child pornography, according to court records. She took video while Derringer sexually abused the victim over a period of three hours on March 11, 2018, according to a release from U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Derringer and Wells-Land were in a relationship at the time, according to court records.
The victim told her mother about what happened and was taken to a hospital, where she tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the release.
Wells-Land is set to be sentenced on Dec. 16. She faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and could serve up to 30 years in prison, according to the release. She may also have to pay a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky Robert M. Duncan, Jr., said in Wednesday’s news release that child pornography cases are among the “most despicable” crimes his office prosecutes.
“The facts of this case are particularly egregious and the defendant’s abuse of the victim certainly warrants the life sentence he received. It should present a clear message that we are committed to holding accountable those who commit acts of abuse and who manufacture child pornography,” Duncan said in the release. “Because the victim showed remarkable bravery in reporting the crime, law enforcement was able to prevent the defendant from preying on others.”
This story was originally published December 11, 2019 at 5:48 PM.
