(MCKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania:  October 6, 2023):  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that Donny Lee Smith of Kane was sentenced in McKean County Court in a sentencing hearing held on October 5.

SMITH was sentenced to state prison for a period of incarceration of 3 years to 6 years, 6 years of concurrent probation, and 3 years of consecutive probation.  Smith was also ordered to undergo a mental health/sex offender evaluation and obtain treatment, drug and alcohol treatment, have no contact with minor children, provide a DNA sample and other terms.  He was found ineligible for any early parole programs such as boot camp. The crimes require he register as a sex offender for 15 years.

Smith pled guilty earlier this year to Possession of Child Pornography in a case filed by Trooper Robert Whyel (Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation).  Trooper Whyel initiated an investigation after an internet company alerted law enforcement to the presence of suspected child pornography and the images were traced to Smith.

DA Shaffer explained that cases of child pornography are sentenced based on the number of images possessed per count charged, apparent age of the children depicted and whether indecent contact is depicted in the images. 

The enhancement increases the sentencing guidelines when more than 50 images are depicted.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://mckean.crimewatchpa.com/da/136029/post/kane-man-sentenced-possessing-child-pornography