Child porn suspect sent to prison

A Carson City child pornographer granted probation in February 2010, had it revoked on Monday.

Brian Ross Fenn, 26, was ordered by Judge Todd Russell to serve 18 to 60 months in prison after Fenn admitted to being alone in the company of minors, possession pornographic material and accessing the Internet, all violations of his probation.

"You were given a chance by this court. I gave you an opportunity - that was despite the recommendations of everyone in this particular case - I told you to make sure you comply very specifically with all those (probation) conditions, and obviously you've chosen not to do that. You showed a disregard for those particular conditions that were placed on you and you've admitted those violations," said Russell. "Your conduct causes me great concern in regards to a threat to others, which I think is unacceptable at this time."

Russell's decision last year to grant Fenn probation after he pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of child pornography had angered Carson City District Attorney Neil Rombardo.

Fenn was first arrested in October 2009 after AOL alerted authorities that he was trading child pornography online, according to court records.

Investigators confiscated computer equipment at his home that contained hundreds of images and videos of children as young as a year old being violated by adults or forced into sex with other children, the police report indicates.

Fenn, who at the time of his arrest worked at two haunted houses in Carson City, was initially charged with 17 counts of possession of child pornography. In exchange for the plea to four counts, the remaining charges were dropped.

At the time of Fenn's sentencing in February 2010, Russell said he was hesitant to offer probation, but a psychological assessment determined Fenn was at low risk to possess child pornography again and at an even lower risk of abusing children.

Also before Russell on Monday:

• Matthew Phillps, 18, was given a suspended sentence of 12 months in jail, and up to three years probation, on a charge of gross misdemeanor attempted theft.

• Joshua Ezekiel, 26, was given a suspended sentence of 12 months in jail, and up to three years probation on a charge of gross misdemeanor taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent.

• Steven Rutherford, 53, was given a suspended sentence of 12 months in jail, and up to three years probation on a charge of gross misdemeanor false imprisonment. Rutherford said his girlfriend wasn't intentionally locked in the house by a padlock on the outside, but that he'd gone out while she was sleeping and didn't want anyone walking in.

• Isaiah Treuer, 32, pleaded guilty to third-offense driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance.

• Russell recused himself in the sentencing of Monica Uribe, 37, who pleaded guilty to passing $3,200 in fraudulent checks at the Carson Station casino. Russell said he was vice-president of the casino's board. Russell's brother Clark Russell also just recently sold the casino to a Las Vegas casino management company.

• Ralph Keith, 26, was given a suspended sentence of 12 to 48 months in prison, and up to five years probation on a charge of robbery.