SALT LAKE CITY — A 52-year-old Layton man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for recruiting children to supply sexually explicit images for his use in the production and distribution of child pornography.

Charging documents alleged that Danial Richard Larsen distributed on Tumblr and Twitter several hundred images of children under the age of 12 engaged in sex acts. Investigators also said they found imagery of Larsen’s genitalia pressed to the face of a 16-year-old girl. The teen told investigators that Larsen enticed her on social media chat to participate in the productions and sent her a video of him sexually touching himself. Other victims also were identified, the documents said.

The offenses occurred in 2018 and were uncovered after Layton police and the Davis County sheriff’s and attorney’s offices were alerted by a tip from the social media providers. A federal grand jury on Sept. 19, 2020, indicted Larsen on felony charges of production of child pornography, distribution of child pornography and coercion and enticement of a minor.

In a plea bargain filed in April this year, Larsen pleaded guilty to the distribution charge while U.S. attorneys dropped the other two charges. The distribution charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Prosecutors recommended Larsen be sentenced to eight to 10 years in prison.

At sentencing in U.S. District Court on Tuesday, Judge David Barlow sentenced Larsen to 10 years behind bars, plus 30 years of supervision after release. The judge also ordered that Larsen be allowed to participate in sex offender treatment.

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