GREEN RIVER — A 59-year-old Reliance man won’t see freedom until at least 2050 after he was sentenced to between 24 and 30 years in prison Monday.
Troy Householder was sentenced by District Court Judge Clark Stith following a change of plea hearing July 16 where Householder pleaded guilty to 10 counts of felony Sexual Exploitation of Children for possessing and distributing child pornography. He was originally arrested Feb. 10 and was charged with the 10 counts, each of which carrying a potential of 5-12 years in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000, or both.
Stith followed the proposed sentence in a plea agreement between the Sweetwater County Attorney’s Office and Householder’s attorney, Eric Phillips. Householder was sentenced to between 8-10 years in prison for each count, with the first two counts to be served consecutively and the third through 10th count being served concurrently, but consecutively to the first two counts. He was also ordered to pay $2,125 in court costs and fees. Householder was given three days credit for time already served.
While speaking to the court, Phillips described Householder as someone who had led an honorable life up to his arrest, saying Householder didn’t have a prior criminal history or a substance abuse problem. Phillips said Householder was able to be a successful person both socially and professionally, two accomplishments that would be extremely difficult for someone who had a substance abuse problem.
However, Phillips said Householder developed an addiction to pornography that led to him seeking out more niche content, which led to him viewing child pornography and interacting with other people online who sought similar material. Phillips said Householder was “a good man who led a good life” who made a few bad decisions that wiped that life away. Phillips believes the 24-year miniumum can be a life sentence for Householder, who takes medications to manage some health problems.
“I know that I messed up extremely bad,” Householder said.
Householder said he is very regretful for his actions and is sorry, saying he doesn’t know what to do aside from taking the penalty for the crimes.
