Man sentenced for video child porn

A 39-year-old Columbia Falls man was sentenced Jan. 22 on three counts of felony sexual abuse of children related to child pornography found on his home computer.

Flathead County District Court Judge Robert Allison sentenced Travis Hinther to 10 years in prison for the first count, 10 years in prison suspended and consecutive for the second count, and 5 years in prison suspended and consecutive for the third count.

Hinther, who pleaded guilty following a Dec. 13 plea deal, was given credit for 567 days in jail. He must complete sex offender programs and register as a sex offender.

Hinther had faced up to 100 years in prison with no chance for parole in the first 25 years for the second count because he was more than 18 years old and the victim was 12 or younger.

According to court records, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office learned from a Madison County deputy in November 2012 that child pornography was being downloaded from a shared file on a computer in Columbia Falls. The CenturyLink account and billing address belonged to Hinther.

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office executed a search at Hinther’s home in February 2013. Hinther allegedly admitted at the time to downloading child pornography for several years. He also allegedly said he knew it was wrong and had repeatedly tried to stop.

He also allegedly told deputies his preference was for “teens” around 13 years old and admitted downloading child pornography two days before the search of his home. A search of his computer turned up more than 800 images and 16 videos of child pornography. Hinther allegedly said some videos showed adults having sex with children.

Hinther moved to Columbia Falls in 2012 from Ferndale, Wash., and lived with his wife and children. He had no prior felony convictions.