Alabama man pleads guilty to possession and production of child pornography

BLOUNT COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — An Alabama man has pleaded guilty to 225 counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of producing child pornography.

Dennis Ray Spann, 55, of Boaz was sentenced to 10 years on the counts of possession of child pornography, as well as 20 years on each count of production of child pornography.

An investigation began after Spann failed to make payments on a storage unit he was renting in Blount County, and the owners of the storage unit discovered apparent images of naked female children and a sex doll with childlike features while emptying the unit.

After an investigation by the Oneonta Police Department, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Spann was found to be in possession of 225 pictures and/or videos of child pornography and five pictures and/or videos produced by him. According to court documents, Spann admitted to possessing and producing this material.

“It takes everyone, including our citizens, to fight back against child abuse. The owner of these units no doubt saved other children from becoming victims of Dennis Spann,” said Pamela Casey, Blount County District Attorney. “Child pornography is not and never will be a victimless crime. Every one of those images represents a child that was horrifically victimized and is victimized every time the images are shared. Never forget, if you see something. Say something.”

Possession of child pornography is a Class C felony, and it can carry a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Producing child pornography is a Class A felony with a potential sentence of 10 to 99 years in prison.