Utah tech CEO is sentenced to 210 days in jail and given a warning for downloading more than 13,000 files of child sexual abuse, rape and beastiality

A former tech company CEO in Utah was sentenced to 210 days in jail and given a warning after he was caught having downloaded more than 13,000 images of sexual abuse, rape and beastiality. 

Doug Saltsman, the 40-year-old former CEO of a defunct cryptocurrency company known as Saltmine, expressed remorse while in a Salt Lake City court as he faced up to 15 years in prison on convictions for three felonies relating to the seizure. 

But Judge Douglas Hogan during Saltsman's sentencing Thursday gave him 210 days and 48 months of probation instead. 

Because of time already served, Saltsman also may be out of jail in about two months.

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Doug Saltsman, the 40-year-old former CEO of a defunct cryptocurrency company known as Saltmine,

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Because of time already served, Saltsman also may be out of jail in about two months. He is pictured addressing a virtual court during his case while wearing a mask covering for protection against the coronavirus outbreak

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Hogan gave Saltsman credit for the time he already has spent behind bars since his arrest, and warned the repentant man to avoid a repeat of the crimes, KTVX reports. 

'If there are new offenses or if it looks like you are not trying do not expect the court to be merciful when you come back and it looks like you're not trying,' said the judge.

Saltsman recognized he had a problem while addressing a virtual court with a mask covering for protection against the coronavirus. He said he sought help from a psychiatrist, was put on medication and enrolled in therapy. 

He promised to make amends for his actions. 'I want to be able to repair the damage that I've done. that I see what I've done. I want to be able to see myself in mirror and I am sorry,' he told the virtual court.

Saltsman originally faced 11 charges after authorities seized more than 13,000 files of graphic child pornography, rape and beastiality when the state's internet crime task force raided his home in Sandy on May 7, 2019. 

Saltsman, described as a 'computer genius, had also operated his company Saltmine out of the home.

The raid came after authorities were tipped off by an internet provider address that was sharing child pornography using a peer-to-peer file-sharing program, KUTV reports.

The first file pulled from the home, court documents show, was a compilation video of prepubescent girls under 8 being raped.

Other files found had footage of Saltsman having intercourse with an unconscious women. The woman, Saltsman's attorney explains, was his girlfriend, who has declined to press charges, KTVX reports. 

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Saltsman originally faced 11 charges after authorities seized more than 13,000 files of graphic child pornography, rape and beastiality when authorities raided his home in Sandy, Utah, on May 7, 2019.  Saltsman (pictured) had also operated his company Saltmine out of the home.

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Saltsman is pictured at the time of his arrest in 2019.  Saltsman recognized he had a problem while addressing a virtual court that he had a problem and said he sought help from a psychiatrist, was put on medication and enrolled in therapy