Deaver man sentenced to 5-10 years in prison

A 22-year-old man who was arrested last summer in Deaver has been sentenced to five to 10 years in prison for distributing child pornography and failing to register as a sex offender.

Appearing Tuesday in the Fifth Judicial District Court, Matthew Joseph Landers told the court he would deem any punishment imposed as “fair and deserving on account of my actions both past and present.”

His arrest stemmed from a March 7, 2025, cybertip to the Wyoming Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children had flagged an Instagram user for sending four files of suspected child pornography. Instagram provided the IP addresses and five devices used to access the account, which led authorities to Landers. 

Landers was found to have sent four files, varying in length from 41 to 54 seconds, that showed pre-pubescent girls engaged in sex acts. All four files were allegedly sent Feb. 25, 2025, and to the same account.

Through the investigation, authorities discovered that Landers was a noncompliant registered sex offender in Washington and that he had not informed the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office he was living in the county.

As part of a deal with prosecutors, Landers pleaded guilty to two felony counts of sexual exploitation of a child and a single count of failing to register as a sex offender.

In court Tuesday, neither the state nor the defense called any witnesses, but Big Horn County Attorney Marcia Bean read a victim impact statement from an 18-year-old woman who was 7 when she was molested and photographed.

Travis Smith, Landers’ attorney, told the court his client moved to Wyoming looking for a fresh start, and that since his arrest, he’s taken responsibility for his mistakes.

“He has plans for the future, but knows he has to account for his actions,” Smith said.

Smith asked the court to accept the sentencing recommendation he negotiated with prosecutors. Bean agreed, calling it “appropriate” while reminding the court and Landers that the victimization of those harmed continues every time the images are viewed and shared.

Judge Bobbi Overfield accepted the plea deal, sentencing Landers to five to 10 years in the state penitentiary for each of the sexual exploitation of a child charges and two to four years for the failure to register charge.  They are concurrent sentences.  Landers will be given credit for time already served.

In exchange for the guilty pleas, prosecutors dropped counts two and four, which also alleged sexual exploitation of a child.