Post Falls man gets prison for child sexual exploitation

COEUR d’ALENE — A Post Falls man will spend up to a decade in prison for possessing child sexual abuse material that a judge described as “sick and depraved.” 

Bryce A. Berg, 32, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of children by possession of sexually exploitative material and one count of attempted video voyeurism by use of a device. 

First District Judge Lamont Berecz sentenced Berg this week to 10 years in prison with parole eligibility after four years. Prosecutors recommended the same sentence. 

The charges stem from last June, when local authorities investigated reports that Dropbox and Google accounts belonging to Berg contained child sexual abuse material. Police obtained warrants to search the contents of the accounts. 

Berg’s Dropbox account contained approximately 750 files depicting suspected child sexual abuse, according to court records, while his Google account contained about 20 such files. 

A computer seized by police contained more than 200 files depicting child sexual abuse, court records said, while an SD card recovered from a renovated school bus owned by Berg contained more than 400 such files. 

When questioned by police, Berg said he inadvertently downloaded the illegal files while trying to pirate a movie but later began seeking out and downloading child sexual abuse material on purpose, according to court records. 

Berg also told police he had placed a Bluetooth speaker with a built-in hidden camera in the bathroom of his bus in order to film women without their knowledge. 

Prosecutors initially charged Berg with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a child, but later dismissed all but two counts in exchange for Berg’s guilty plea. 

Before handing down the sentence, Berecz noted that possession of child sexual abuse material is not a victimless crime. While those who create the material are most culpable, Berecz said, those who consume it are also at fault and indirectly participate in the abuse of the children involved. 

Berecz said Berg’s actions were not inadvertent or accidental. 

“Your crimes occurred over a substantial period of time and involved a lot of work,” Berecz said. “You had to think this through to accomplish it.” 

A prison sentence was appropriate because of the seriousness of the crimes, Berecz said. He encouraged Berg to engage with treatment and work toward rehabilitation while serving his sentence. 

“You are a young man and you can be out, if you do well, when you are 35 years old, with the vast majority of life in front of you,” he said. “I hope you will take that opportunity to change your life.” 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse, call Safe Passage Violence Prevention Center’s 24-hour helpline: 208-664-9303.