Michigan youth gymnastics photographer sentenced to 7 years for child pornography

(CBS DETROIT)A young gymnastics photographer from Royal Oak received a prison sentence on Tuesday for disseminating child pornography.

On Wednesday, 59-year-old David Eric Yellen was given a sentence of seven years in jail and ten years of supervised release after his release.

When an FBI agent looking into BitTorrent discovered 14 files linked to child pornography being transmitted using an IP address that may be linked to Yellen in May 2023, the FBI launched an inquiry.

Over the years, Yellen worked as a photographer and cameraman for a number of gymnastics competitions and academies, according to officials.

When FBI officials searched Yellen’s home, they discovered 50,000 pictures of children’s bare feet from gymnastics competitions where he was employed, according to court records. On Yellen’s electronic equipment, agents also discovered two million child pornographic materials.

“Yellen had too much child pornography in her possession and distributed it. In a statement, U.S. Attorney Ison stated, “He answered yesterday for his unlawful acts and his egregious breach of trust.”

“Anyone, especially someone who is trusted to work with and around our youth, distributing child sexual abuse materials is unacceptable and will be investigated by members of the FBI in Michigan,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan.

In May 2024, Yellen entered a guilty plea to the distribution of child pornography.

Joe Buczek works for CBS Detroit as the manager of digital content and promotion. The Leader and the Kalkaskian, the Oakland Press, the Morning Sun, the Grand Traverse Insider, and WWTV were among his prior employers.

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