**Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Possession and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material**

San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that Gregory Allen Kornman was sentenced to eight years in state prison for possession and distribution of thousands of images and videos of child sexual abuse material. The content included extremely disturbing depictions of sexual sadism and violence against infants, toddlers, and very young children.

The sentencing occurred this afternoon in Department 10 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, with the Honorable Jesse Marino presiding. Kornman had previously pleaded guilty to all 22 charges on September 9, 2025.

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### Charges and Sentencing Details

Kornman was sentenced for the following offenses:

– Two felony counts of possession of child pornography with special enhancements
– Nineteen counts of transmission of child pornography
– One misdemeanor count of committing a lewd act in public

Due to statutory sentencing enhancements for cases involving more than 600 images and content depicting sexual sadism or masochism, Kornman faced a maximum potential sentence of 18 years and 4 months in state prison. The evidence confirmed, and the defendant admitted, the validity of these enhancements.

However, Judge Jesse Marino declined the district attorney’s request to impose an additional three-year sentence related to the enhancements.

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### Details of the Investigation

The investigation began on March 13, 2025, when San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Deputy Joel Molina observed Kornman engaged in lewd conduct inside his vehicle on the side of a road in Nipomo.

Further investigation uncovered more than 3,000 videos and images of child sexual abuse material on Kornman’s cell phone and Gateway computer. It was also revealed that Kornman transmitted this harmful material to others at least 159 times through internet-based communication applications.

Sheriff’s Deputy (Detective) Patricia Montalvo testified at the preliminary hearing that the materials depicted extremely disturbing acts of sexual sadism and violence against infants, toddlers, and young children. In addition, evidence included written statements and audio recordings in which Kornman detailed his desires to kidnap, rape, and torture young children.

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### Statements from the District Attorney

District Attorney Dan Dow emphasized the devastating impact of Kornman’s actions:

> “The defendant’s deliberate accumulation of thousands of sadistic images depicting the rape and torture of very young children, coupled with the transmission of these materials to others, perpetuates catastrophic harm to innocent victims and fuels a depraved market that incentivizes the continued sexual abuse of children.”

Dow further stressed that every viewing or distribution of such material re-victimizes the children harmed during its production.

He also highlighted the severity of possession and distribution crimes:

> “While possession of child pornography may appear to some as a passive crime, it is no less serious than direct child sexual molestation. The children depicted in these images suffered grievous harm at the time of production and are exploited again with every viewing and transmission.”

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### Sentencing Recommendation and Employment Background

The prosecution initially recommended a 13-year sentence. This recommendation included a reduction of 5 years and 4 months from the maximum possible sentence under California law, acknowledging Kornman’s acceptance of responsibility through his guilty plea.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Kornman worked as a substitute teacher for the Bonita Unified School District in Santa Maria, serving students from kindergarten through middle school. There are no known allegations or instances of child sexual abuse occurring while Kornman was employed as a substitute teacher.

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### Additional Information on the Sentence

District Attorney Dow noted:

> “This sentence of eight years will be served at ‘half time’ due to California law. While this will remove him from our community for only four years, it should protect our children from his stated intent for that time, after which he will be released on parole.”

He reiterated his office’s commitment:

> “Our office is firmly committed to aggressively prosecuting those who exploit children and to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society.”

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### Investigation and Prosecution Team

The investigation was led by Sheriff’s Deputy (Detective) Patricia Montalvo of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit. Assisting personnel included:

– Deputy James Barnard
– Deputy Tyler Brixey
– Deputy Justin Francis
– Deputy Wade Knowles
– Deputy BerLynne Kucer
– Deputy Trevor Lopes
– Deputy Ian McFarland
– Deputy Joel Molina
– Cyber Forensic Laboratory Analyst Crystal Morales
– Deputy Dyllan Smiley
– Deputy David Smith

The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Dan Dow.
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