Sheridan Man Sentenced to Prison for Child Pornography

A sentencing hearing for a Sheridan man charged with possession of child pornography was held Thursday in Fourth Judicial District Court in Sheridan. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

Between December 26, 2023 and October 13, 2024, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation received five Cybertips that indicated a cellular phone in Sheridan was used to download and receive multiple files of child pornography. Further investigation led to the discovery that the owner of the cell phone was  Michael Sandvig of Sheridan.
On January 15, 2025, DCI agents interviewed Sandvig and searched his residence. Agents found multiple images and videos on Sandvig’s cell phone that depicted sexual abuse of minors. During questioning, Sandvig admitted to receiving, possessing and distributing child pornography through his Telegram account. He also told investigators that he preferred infants and toddlers when viewing child pornography. Sandvig was arrested and booked into the Sheridan County Detention Center.

At a sentencing hearing Thursday, District Court Judge Ben Kirven accepted the plea agreement that was reached between the defendant and the State, and sentenced Sandvig to 2 ½ to 8 years in prison for each of two counts of sexual exploitation of a child – possession of child pornography. The sentences will run concurrent to one another. Sandvig was given credit for 366 days of presentence confinement and ordered to pay $475 in court costs and assessments.  Sandvig was remanded to the custody of the Sheridan County Detention Center pending transfer to prison.