18-month sentence for solicitation, CSAM

A Minot man who pleaded guilty to promoting a sexual performance by a minor and possession of prohibited materials has been sentenced to serve 18-months in prison.

Tony Justin Lynch, 39, Minot, appeared in North Central District Court on Tuesday for sentencing. Lynch entered into a plea agreement, entering a change of plea to the promoting a sexual performance by a minor, a Class B felony; and one count of possession of certain prohibited materials, a Class C felony. According to court records, three additional counts of promoting a sexual performance by a minor and possession of certain materials prohibited were dismissed in accordance with the plea agreement.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Lynch was identified by investigators as the individual behind an account linked to a cybertip referred to the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The cybertip was submitted by an internet service provider for a messaging app, which identified 10 files of apparent child sexual abuse material (CSAM) sent by the account in December 2024. According to court documents, the images involved children between the ages of 2 and 13.

District Court Judge Gary Lee sentenced Lynch to serve five years with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, with all but 18 months suspended pending the completion of three years of supervised probation. Lynch was given credit for 349 days served and ordered to register as a sex offender. He also was assessed $125 in court fines and fees.