Gillette Man Sentenced in Federal Court for Child Porn

A Gillette man is headed to prison following a recent hearing in a Wyoming Federal Courtroom. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

Senior U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Freudenthal sentenced 23-year-old Zayne Ryan Beeson of Gillette to 80 months in federal prison for receipt of child pornography. According to court documents, the investigation began in March 2023 when Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office in Hopkins County, Texas, received a call of possible online solicitation of a minor. The investigation uncovered sexually explicit images, video and text messages between the underage minor and Beeson.

In an interview with agents from the Wyoming Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Beeson admitted to the conduct with the minor victim, including asking for and receiving the child pornography. Beeson’s tattoo matched images exchanged via Instagram with the minor victim. He was indicted and pleaded guilty on October 10, 2023. The crime was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office.