HS man sentenced to federal prison

A Hot Springs man was sentenced to 17 years and six months in federal prison Wednesday in U.S. District Court at Hot Springs for felony counts of online enticement of a minor and unlawful possession of ammunition, Duane Kees, U.S. attorney for the Western District, said in a news release.

Todd McDonald, 35, was indicted on the charges by a federal grand jury in April 2017 and pleaded guilty in October 2017. In addition to prison time, he was sentenced to 10 years of supervised probation following his release.

According to court records, in November 2016, FBI agents were contacted by the mother of a 12-year-old Hot Springs girl regarding sexually explicit text messages sent by an apparent 30-year-old male. The agents viewed messages sent by a person using the username “Mr. Nobody,” later identified as McDonald, to the victim via Instagram.

The messages included statements from McDonald stating he wanted to take sexually explicit photos and videos of the girl. McDonald later admitted to sending those messages. On Jan. 4, 2017, FBI agents executed a search warrant at McDonald’s Hot Springs residence where they located, among other contraband, .38 special ammunition, which McDonald was prohibited from possessing because of his prior conviction on felony charges.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Denis Dean prosecuted the case with U.S. District Judge Susan O. Hickey presiding.