Memorandum Opinion and Satement of Reasons

The United States charged Telford Cruikshank, Jr. with possessing or knowingly accessing with intent to view child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B).  The offense carries a maximum term of ten years’ imprisonment.  Mr. Cruikshank pleaded guilty on May 18, 2009.  The Sentencing Guidelines recommend a sentence of 46 to 57 months in prison, with a term of supervised release between 5 years to life.  As explained below, such a sentence would be unreasonable in this case.  I thus sentence Mr. Cruikshank to 24 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, in addition to a special assessment of $100.