Donald Knuckles, 61, was sentenced to 10 years prison on January 29, 2020 for sexual exploitation of a minor following an investigation lead by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
The case against Donald began in Phoenix, AZ in November of 2018 when special agents observed a computer that was sharing digital files containing graphic depictions of child sexual exploitation over a peer-to-peer file sharing network.
After sending a subpoena to the internet provider, investigators received records that identified the computer as belonging to Donald. When agents served a search warrant at Donald’s home in February 2019, they observed a sexually explicit video of a child on an electronic device in his room.
Donald waived his Miranda rights and confessed to downloading sexually explicit content of children.
Donald pleaded guilty to two felony counts. In the first count, Donald admitted to possessing a sexually explicit video involving a child who was estimated to be less than 15 years old. In the second count, Donald admitted to possessing a sexually explicit video involving a child who was estimated to be less than 10 years old.
Donald will begin a term of lifetime probation upon his release from prison in approximately January of 2030. Donald will also be required to register as a sex offender when he is released.
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich says:
“From undercover operations to working with other law enforcement agencies, the Attorney General’s Office will continue to do everything we can to protect children from predators. Anyone who abuses a child or sexually exploits a child, needs to be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
