An Anchorage man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for producing and possessing child pornography involving multiple minors. Richard Dougherty, 43, was found to have created and distributed child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), including images and videos documenting his own sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 16.
Court documents show that Dougherty began abusing the minor in 2017, taking photos and videos of the acts. Between January 2003 and April 2023, he possessed, accessed with intent to view, received, and distributed CSAM. Investigators determined that Dougherty knowingly possessed more than 600 images of such material.
Dougherty pleaded guilty on May 27, 2025, to one count each of production and possession of child pornography.
“Mr. Dougherty’s crimes are despicable and perverse. This 30-year sentence ensures that the public and Alaska’s children are protected from his deviancy for the maximum number of years permitted under the law,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman. “I want to commend the survivors for showing extraordinary strength. I also want to thank U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Alaska State Troopers for their diligent investigative work that helped bring this case to justice. We will continue to work together to hold accountable predators who target our children.”
Alaska State Troopers Colonel Maurice Hughes added: “The exploitation of children is one of the most reprehensible crimes that we encounter. The Alaska State Troopers will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect Alaskans, keep our children safe, and hold offenders accountable.”
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) along with the Alaska State Troopers.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander prosecuted the case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation online through collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.