The case started on Dec. 3 when a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper attempted to pull over a pickup speeding southbound on Interstate 25 in Laramie County.
The government regards child pornography as a crime of violence because it involves brutal assaults on very young children who cannot give consent to sexual activity.
The case began in October 2021 when Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation agents learned of an influx of methamphetamine being distributed in the Lovell area.
The federal case, and facts stated by Harkins during his pleas Wednesday, arose from a local investigation based on tips that he was using and selling illegal drugs at his home.
The case started in December 2021 when the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation received a lead from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.