Leanna Lehman
Tracy Elizabeth Hansen, 37, was arrested on March 26 by Homeland Security on allegations of distributing child sexual abuse material online. She was arraigned in New River Township Justice Court on Friday, March 27, and was subsequently released on her own recognizance.
Special Agent Mackenzie Miller with Homeland Security Investigations and a cross-deputized peace officer with the State of Nevada, submitted information for a Criminal Complaint against Hansen that included 29 counts of Promotion of Sexual Performance of Minor Less than 14 Years of Age.
Each charge is a Category A Felony punishable by life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 years, up to $100,000 in fines, and requires 25 years registration as a Tier II offender on the Sex Offender Registry.
Promotion of Sexual Performance of a Minor is a child pornography offense, formally referred to as child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and relates to the sexual exploitation of children.
CSAM includes material depicting minor children engaging in, simulating, or assisting others to engage in sexual conduct, or images or acts where a minor is the subject of sexual portrayal.
The complaint alleges that Hansen shared 25 videos on Kik that show various portrayals of children, aged from infancy to 16 years, in sexual or sexually related acts. Kik is a legitimate messaging app that allows users to communicate using usernames rather than phone numbers, and has been referenced in law enforcement investigations due to its use in some cases involving the exchange of illegal material.
Several of the counts in the complaint allege the distribution of images that depict the sexual assault of very young children.
Hansen appeared for her arraignment via Zoom from the Churchill County Jail on Friday, March 27, before Judge Benjamin Trotter. During the arraignment, the court determined that Hansen was not public defender eligible; however, court documents state, “Due to circumstances and severity of charges [the court] appoints a Churchill County public defender.”
Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer requested that Hansen be released on her own recognizance. Senior Deputy District Attorney Chelse Sanford opposed such a release, arguing that Hansen posed a flight risk and a risk to the community. On behalf of Hansen, Sommer waived her right to a preliminary hearing within 15 days.
Trotter ordered Hansen to be released without bail, on her own recognizance (OR). Such releases are generally based on a lack of criminal history, no failures to appear in court, community ties, and low risk factors, per Nevada Supreme Court guidelines in the Jimenez Ruling.
The terms of Hansen’s release include weekly contact with counsel, no criminal violations, and no new employment without approval of the court, the defense, and the state. She is also prohibited from going to any place where children gather, having children at her residence, or visiting pornographic or fetish websites.
Should she violate the terms of her pre-trial release, she will be returned to custody with a $580,000 – $20,000 per count, cash-only bail applied.
The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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