A Piggott man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal charge of distributing child pornography, admitting that in August of 2018, he distributed images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wright accepted the plea from Michael Vierling, who admitted to one count of receipt and distribution in exchange for two other counts of the same charge and one count of possession of child pornography being dismissed.
A plea agreement indicates that at sentencing, Vierling faces enhancements because the offense involved at least 600 images, because it portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct, because it involved a child younger than 12 and because he distributed the images in exchange for valuable consideration of something not specified, but not for pecuniary gain.
Vierling faces five to 20 years in prison, followed by at least five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 when sentenced at a later date.