A Portland man, previously convicted for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), has been handed down a decade-long sentence in federal prison for the same offense, the U.S. Attorney's Office reports. David Lee Cannon, age 36 and a registered sex offender, was sentenced to 120 months for having over 200 images of CSAM. On top of his prison term, Cannon will face a lifetime of supervised release.
Details emerging from a February 2024 investigation connected to Cannon's uncle led to the revelation that Cannon had been collecting CSAM through Telegram, an encrypted messaging app. As per a statement by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, Scott E. Bradford, "The pursuit of individuals who exploit and abuse children is our highest priority.” Bradford reinforced the sentence's intent, saying, “With today’s sentence, Mr. Cannon will spend the next 10 years behind bars, unable to victimize any other children."
This is not Cannon's first encounter with the law over these grave matters, as he was previously convicted in 2009. His recent arrest took place in Milwaukie, Oregon, after HSI agents tracked down his cellphone. Cannon faced charges on April 28, 2025, and entered a guilty plea to Possession of Child Pornography by June 26, 2025.
The case, steamed by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with support from Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, was part of Project Safe Childhood. This initiative, a brainchild of the Department of Justice established in 2006, collaborates with federal, state, and local agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children, while also working to identify and rescue victims. April Miller, acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Seattle, emphasized the gravitas of their mission, stating, "Our unwavering commitment is to protect the most vulnerable and ensure that those who prey on children are held accountable.”
It's critical to recognize that child pornography, as defined by federal law, involves visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct with minors—actual crimes against children. These images and videos not only document the exploitation and abuse of the victims but also contribute to their ongoing trauma each time they're circulated online. More information on the fight against child exploitation can be found through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website.
