Johnson man gets 10 months for violating supervised release terms

By TONY FYFFE

BSN Editor

PIKEVILLE — A Johnson County man convicted of federal child pornography charges in 2008 was ordered back to prison Thursday for violating the conditions of his supervised release after he served his initial sentence.

U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove sentenced James Cottle to 10 months’ imprisonment for violating three conditions of his lifetime supervised release in November.

Cottle pleaded guilty to receiving and possessing child pornography and was sentenced in 2008 to 160 months in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release. He was released from federal custody in May 2018 to begin his lifetime supervised release.

Cottle’s probation officer petitioned U.S. District Court in Pikeville Nov. 9 to issue a warrant or summons after he found that Cottle had violated four conditions of his release.

At a final revocation hearing Nov. 23, Cottle pleaded guilty to using/possessing alcohol, possessing sexually stimulating and sexually oriented materials, and failing to follow rules of the sex offender treatment program.

An additional charge of possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed by federal prosecutors in exchange for his guilty plea to the other violations, according to court records.

In sentencing Cottle Thursday, Van Tatenhove noted that November was the third time Cottle had violated terms of his supervised release in “a little over two years.” The prior violations, which included exchanging money for sexual favors, did not result in Cottle’s supervised release being revoked.

“Despite having multiple chances to better himself and remain on supervision, Mr. Cottle has once again violated a term of his supervised release,” Van Tatenhove said in his order. “The history and characteristics of the defendant, particularly as it relates to demonstrating a respect for the law and abiding by the guidelines, strongly favors a period of incarceration.”

The judge said Cottle would resume his supervised release following his 10-month sentence, which will be served in a “facility that is closest to his home for which he qualifies.”