SC man sentenced to prison for possession of child sexual abuse images, DOJ says

A South Carolina man was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse materials, the United States Department of Justice announced.

David Elliot Paulsen, 62, pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse materials, also known as child pornography.

In May 2023, Paulsen entered a residential re-entry center to complete the remaining time of his incarceration from a 2014 child pornography conviction, according to court evidence. The following July, he was found to be in possession of a contraband cell phone that had over 1,200 images and at least one video of child sexual abuse materials involving “prepubescent girls and the sexual abuse of toddlers,” officials said.

Paulsen had three prior federal convictions for possession of child sexual abuse materials, and one prior conviction for failing to register as a sex offender.

U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Anderson sentenced Paulsen to a lifetime of court-ordered supervision following his 14-year prison sentence.

The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein prosecuted the case.

Alexa Jurado

The State

Alexa Jurado is a news reporter for The State covering Lexington County and Richland County schools. She previously wrote about the University of South Carolina and contributes to this coverage. A Chicago suburbs native, Alexa graduated from Marquette University and previously wrote for publications in Illinois and Wisconsin. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, the Milwaukee Press Club and the South Carolina Press Association.