[Archived] Defendant Sentenced For Distributing Child Pornography

For Immediate Release: July 27, 2017

On July 27, 2017, Jeramy Jon-Earl Scovell, a 41-year old Alexandria resident, was sentenced to 10 years of active incarceration in prison upon his conviction of ten counts of distribution of child pornography. The evidence presented at the defendant’s plea showed that Scovell possessed hundreds of images of child pornography and distributed at least 23 images over a three month period between December 2015 and March 2016.

The investigation began when Scovell sent his computer to a store for repairs, and the employee who powered on his computer observed an open folder full of pornographic images of children. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the computer. Forensic analysis of the computer revealed that the defendant had distributed 23 of the images using the Skype messaging program. While distributing these images through chatrooms, Scovell often engaged in graphic, disturbing conversations in which he fantasized about sexually abusing children. As a term of his plea agreement, the defendant participated in a polygraph examination to confirm that he had never committed a sexual offense against a child. Scovell passed the polygraph.

The defendant was sentenced to 50 years incarceration, with all but 10 years of that sentence suspended, conditioned upon his compliance with supervised probation for a period of 10 years upon his release and uniform good behavior for a period of 20 years upon release. While on supervised probation, Scovell will be required to complete a sex offender evaluation and comply with any recommended treatment. Pursuant to the Code of Virginia, Scovell will be required to register as a sex offender upon release.

Commonwealth's Attorney Bryan Porter said: “This case was horrific for everyone involved. The images possessed and distributed by this defendant are some of the most violent, disturbing images our office has ever encountered. No one should be exposed to such horrific and gratuitous images.”

“Obviously, however, the psychic and physical damage done to the children victimized and abused in these images – some of them extremely young – is the true tragedy. No conviction, no sentence and no words could ever rectify the enormous harm inflicted on these most innocent of victims.”

“The Court imposed a lengthy prison sentence in this case, and I hope that sentence stands as evidence of the dedication and professionalism of the members of the Child Exploitation Task Force and  my prosecutors bring to child pornography cases.”

The case was investigated by Detective Betty Sixsmith of the Alexandria Police Department’s Special Victims Unit and Special Agent Sean Clark of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, both of whom are members of the Child Exploitation Task Force. Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jessica Best Smith prosecuted the matter on behalf of the Commonwealth.

The defendant is incarcerated in the William G. Truesdale Alexandria Adult Detention Center pending his transfer to the Department of Corrections.