Four Northwest Arkansas residents sentenced to federal prison terms for child abuse

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, four Northwest Arkansas residents were recently sentenced to prison in a federal prison for child abuse.

Aaron Hudson, also known as Sophie Anne Hudson, 32, of Fayetteville was sentenced to six years in federal prison Thursday after being found guilty of possession of child pornography.

In December 2021, Homeland Security Investigations agents and task force officials received information that an individual had uploaded child sexual abuse images to a website known to law enforcement as a platform for viewing and trading child pornography, according to court documents. Federal police searched Hudson’s residence and discovered several images of child pornography, as well as several child-sized dolls.

Nathan Scott Wright, 38, of Rogers was sentenced Friday to 50 years in federal prison after being found guilty of both sexual exploitation of minors through the production of child pornography and transportation of child pornography. In October 2022, FBI agents and task force officials received information that Wright had uploaded images to Google servers showing him sexually abusing a girl approximately 4 years old.

Benton County Sheriff’s Office and FBI officials searched Wright’s home and discovered several images of child pornography, including images depicting Wright sexually abusing at least one minor. At sentencing, prosecutors presented evidence to the court that Wright had taken images of himself sexually abusing a second minor.

Darlina Maree Jasso, 33, of Berryville was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on May 9 after being found guilty of transporting a minor across state lines for sexual purposes. A deputy with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office contacted the FBI in May 2022 after it was discovered that Jasso had transported a 15-year-old female from Missouri to her residence in Berryville, according to court documents. According to the documents, the intent was for the juvenile and Jasso’s boyfriend to engage in sexual acts.

Police discovered surveillance video on Jasso’s phone that captured sexual acts between the two adults and the minor. Police also found text messages on the phone between the boyfriend and Jasso describing their plan to bring the minor to Arkansas and the sexual acts they planned to engage in with the minor.

Charles Merchant, 32, of Berryville, was sentenced to eight years and four months in a federal prison on May 21 after being convicted of transporting child pornography. In August 2022, Homeland Security Investigations agents and task forces received information that Merchant had uploaded child sexual abuse images to the social media platform KIK. Federal law enforcement searched Merchant’s residence and discovered several images containing child pornography.