HUNTSVILLE — A Huntsville man pleaded guilty Wednesday on child pornography charges and received a 10-year split sentence, Attorney General Steve Marshall announced.
Dana Wesley Coffelt, 47, of Huntsville, pleaded guilty in Madison County Circuit Court to three counts of possession of obscene matter depicting a person under the age of 17, according to a news release from Marshall’s office.
“This heinous crime inflicts never-ending harm, perpetually exploiting the victims,” said Marshall. “It is not only damaging to our society but inflicts unimaginable pain and suffering upon the most vulnerable victims — children.
“My office will always make it a priority to fight against child exploitation and send a message to those deviant predators that they will be caught and punished to the fullest extent of the law for their crimes.”
Coffelt was sentenced to 10 years, which was split for him to serve one year in prison followed by a term of three years of supervised probation. Upon his release, he will be required to register as a sex offender and abide by all requirements of Alabama’s Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Attorney General Marshall commended his Criminal Trials Division for its prosecution, noting in particular Assistant Attorneys General Jillian Jordan Evans and Sara Rogan, as well as the Special Agents of his Investigations Division and the Cybercrime Unit.
