Former state legislative aide sentenced for child pornography

A political consultant and former state legislative aide will serve five years in federal prison for child pornography.

Carter Ballmann pleaded guilty to the charge in February. A judge on Friday sentenced him to five years in prison, and five years of probation.

He was arrested in April 2018 after asking who he thought was a 14-year-old girl to send him nude pictures online. Boone County authorities say he also tried to lure their pretend teen out of her home. He was actually talking to an undercover officer.

Prosecutors dropped the count of selling or buying children in exchange for Ballman’s plea in February. He used to work for Rep. Mark Matthiesen in Jefferson City before his arrest.