SALT LAKE CITY -- An Ogden man faces a likely 10 years in federal prison on a child pornography charge, a mid-range sentence recommended after prosecutors and the defense documented the man's low IQ, lack of prior felony record and an ongoing medical complication.

Trevor Wayne Griffith, 27, pleaded guilty in a plea bargain to distribution of child pornography, which has a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Charging documents said Griffith in 2019 and 2020 sent explicit images to others and took live video screenshots of a minor unclothed and stimulating himself.

In return for the guilty plea, U.S. prosecutors agreed to drop counts of receiving child pornography and possessing child pornography.

A sentencing recommendation of 10 years, jointly signed by prosecutors and federal public defenders, and filed in court on Friday, said Griffith had a "lack of sophistication and an introductory level of involvement" in the pornography, because he shared only a handful of images.

The document said Griffith is cognitively impaired, with an IQ of 67, and attended two years of vocational training as a welder after high school but was unable to complete the certification. He was born two months premature and was diagnosed at age 10 with Type I diabetes and wears an insulin pump. He was diagnosed with a mild mental disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and with "noted stressors in academics, social environment and health."

"His life lacked direction, but it was not marked by cruelty or predation of others," the recommendation said.

His health status also weighs against a lengthy prison sentence, the recommendation said: "He will continue to need medical care for his Type I diabetes and face the ongoing risk that if it is not provided, he could become comatose or die."

The recommended sentence of 10 years will ensure deterrence and give the minor victim and his family closure, according to the recommendation.

U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart is scheduled to sentence Griffith on Feb. 27.

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