KINGMAN – The century-long prison term ordered for a child pornography possession convict should send strong messages to the public, according to a prominent local defense attorney.
Deputy Mohave County Public Defender Paul Amann said the 100-year prison term imposed for Jerry Black, 50, is evidence of super stringent punishment imposed in the arena under Arizona law. He said he also hoped it should convince anyone evenly remotely interested, to steer clear of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
Black is a Hildale, Utah resident who owns a business in Colorado City where authorities seized thousands of child porn files from his electronic devices during a search conducted in Nov., 2025. A Mohave County Superior Court jury convicted him of all 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor at the conclusion of his trial at the Mohave County Law and Justice Center on March 26.
Many child pornography possession cases in Mohave County end in plea agreements involving multiple year prison terms and lifetime probation. Black did not enter a plea deal, gambled and lost at trial.
Arizona law requires imposition of consecutive sentences of at least 10 years for each sexual exploitation of a minor conviction, and that each be served consecutively to one another. Local judges for years have frequently noted that many consider the punishment severity to be “Draconian,” but that they must abide by laws passed by the state legislature.
Amann offered that a Utah judge recently convicted of possessing child porn might avoid prison altogether and may get some probation and jail time. He also said that a man who killed two people in a brutal robbery homicide in the Hualapai mountains is serving a 50-year sentence while Black touched no one and has been given twice the punishment.
Deputy Mohave County Attorney Leah Nelson countered that victims of child pornography end up being abused over and over again for years by materials that gain repetitive views. She asked the court to impose a 170-year prison term.
“This is a crime that is absolutely abhorrent,” Judge McCoy said. She said the exposed children are certainly victims, but she also said the disgusting nature of the offenses takes a toll on everyone in the justice system from investigating officers to law office staff, to attorneys and judges.
Amann said Black maintains his innocence and will appeal his trial convictions and sentence.
Dave Hawkins
