Eagle River fugitive sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for child porn

Joshua Evans was supposed to be sentenced on federal child pornography possession charges in early November.

But Evans disappeared two weeks before his sentencing date, triggering an unsuccessful state and federal manhunt.

A federal judge in Anchorage this week sentenced the 45-year-old Eagle River man to 14 years in prison in absentia for possessing images of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason on Wednesday also sentenced Evans to a lifetime term of supervised release.

"The judge found he was voluntarily absent so the judge moved forward with sentencing," said Chloe Martin, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Anchorage.

The court heard testimony regarding an individual who overheard Evans say he was heading to Fairbanks, Martin said.

He was last seen in mid-October at the Knik River Access along the Glenn Highway where he sold his car, she said.

Evans was convicted in 2001 on state charges of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor.

He was arrested on the federal charges in 2016 after FBI agents found child pornography on various computers and other devices at his home, according to a sentencing memo filed in the case.

His conditions of release on bail in May 2016 included a provision that Evans stay within the greater Anchorage area. He was also barred from contacting anyone under 18 and from having internet access.

Evans signed a plea agreement in October 2016 and in November was approved for supervision by three third-party custodians. One, who described Evans as her husband, expressed concern for his safety in social media posts after he went missing last year.

Federal prosecutors sought nearly 20 years in prison and Evans' public defender asked for 10 years, according to sentencing memos from both.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Joshua Evans can call the FBI Anchorage field office at 907-276-4441.