Texarkana federal judge gives woman more than 21 years for producing child pornography

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A New Boston, Texas woman who shared video of herself molesting a 3-year-old male relative was sentenced Thursday to more than 21 years in federal prison.

Haidy Noel Branson, 24, wept as the young victim’s guardian testified.

“If he hears your name, he cries,” the guardian said. “He still hurts.”

U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder sentenced Branson to 262 months in federal prison in keeping with a plea arrangement negotiated by her lawyer, Jeff Harrelson of Texarkana, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Locker in the Texarkana division of the Eastern District of Texas. Upon release from prison, Branson will be supervised by federal authorities for ten years and must register as a sex offender for the remainder of her life.

Branson told the court she is sorry for the sexual misconduct and wishes she could, “go back, but I can’t.”

Locker asked Schroeder to sign off on an order forbidding Branson from any contact with the victim or his guardian. Schroeder agreed.

Counts of distributing, possessing and receiving child porn were dismissed by Schroeder at Locker’s request as part of Branson’s plea bargain. Branson will receive credit for the time she spent in jail since her arrest Jan. 9. There is no parole from a federal prison term. Credit toward a prisoner’s sentence can be earned at a maximum 54 days per year for good behavior.

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