Man from Joplin sentenced for receiving, distributing child pornography

A man from Joplin was sentenced in federal court for receiving and distributing child pornography over the internet.

According to United States Attorney of Western District of Missouri, Mark Comer, 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 18 years in federal prison without parole.

Comer will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subjout his life.

On March 23, 2023, Comer pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography.

Law enforcement officers searched Comer’s laptop in July 2022 as part of an investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse. Investigators found thousands of photos and videos of child pornography and child exploitative material.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force, the FBI, and the Carl Junction, Mo., Police Department.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.