MONROE – On September 10, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Randy Allen Powell, 46, of Downsville, with Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography. As a re-offender, Powell faces an enhanced sentence if convicted of all charges that carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to a combined 60 years in federal prison. He was previously convicted of receiving child pornography in 2014, which led to a sentence of 15 years in federal prison and four years of supervised release. Powell was serving his term of federal supervision at the time of this alleged offense.“As alleged, Powell’s receipt of child pornography while knowing he was being supervised by federal probation officers displays a level of desperate perversion that should concern every member of our community,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Protecting our children is the most sacred and urgent duty that this Office and our federal and state partners perform every single day. We will aggressively investigate and prosecute recidivist offenders, seeking federal prison sentences that reflect the need to deter this sick conduct and protect the public.”As alleged in the indictment, Powell possessed child pornography on April 2, 2026, after having received it from between March 21 and 23 of 2026. Property subject to forfeiture as a result of the offense include a laptop, flash drive, smartphone, and tablet.U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Probation Office investigated the case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amy Miller, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Stephanie Stewart.This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. Learn more at https://www.justice.gov/psc/about-project-safe-childhoodAn indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer. The case number for this matter is currently pending assignment.###CONTACT:Public Affairs: USALAW-News@usdoj.govUnited States Attorney’s Office: www.justice.gov/usao-wdlaX: @USAO_WDLAFacebook: USAO_WDLACara Alexander: (337) 262-6704
Source: U.S. Department of Justice