Salt Lake City businessman sentenced to prison on child porn charges

SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake City businessman convicted of viewing child pornography on his work computer was sentenced Wednesday to one to 15 years in prison.

D. Chris Robertson, 61, was convicted of 20 second-degree felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor Aug. 15. Robertson was turned in to authorities by employees who said they saw their boss viewing child pornography, according to the Utah Attorney General's Office.

Robertson's computers were seized in April 2009 by members of the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. More than 24,000 images and nearly 400 videos of child pornography were discovered on the devices.

Robertson pleaded guilty to one federal count of possession of child pornography. At a January 2011 sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups gave Robertson credit for serving six days in jail, ordered him to pay $75,000 in restitution and placed him on probation.

Prosecutors filed state child exploitation charges in March 2011, resulting in the Aug. 15 conviction. On Wednesday, 3rd District Judge Terry Christiansen ordered Robertson to immediately start serving a one- to 15-year prison sentence.

Robertson's attorney said an appeal will be filed. A hearing is set for Oct. 31 to decide whether Robertson will be released during the appeal.

— Jared Page