KC Reporter

A man from Blue Springs, Missouri, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography. Jon Hopkins, Jr., aged 41, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough and will serve his time without parole. After his release, he is required to undergo supervised release for life and pay $15,000 in restitution to his victims.

Hopkins pleaded guilty on October 29, 2024, to one count of possessing child pornography. Court documents revealed that while working at Honeywell in Kansas City, Missouri, Hopkins was found with an electronic device inside a secure area where electronics are prohibited. A lawful search of the device led law enforcement to discover images depicting child pornography during an initial review. Further forensic analysis under a federal search warrant uncovered hundreds of images and videos focusing on preteen girls. The materials included depictions of ten previously identified victims.

In addition to the federal charges, Hopkins faces charges in Jackson County, Missouri for felony offenses including statutory rape or attempted statutory rape and statutory sodomy or attempted statutory sodomy involving a child less than 12 years old. These charges have been pending due to the ongoing federal case.

The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth W. Borgnino following investigations by the Department of Energy's Office of the Inspector General and the Independence Missouri Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local resources.