COLUMBUS, Ohio — A former Columbus firefighter from Lancaster has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to receiving child pornography.
Carson A. Bigham, 24, was sentenced Tuesday to 80 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio. Bigham was originally arrested on federal charges in May 2025 and pleaded guilty in February 2026. (Department of Justice)
The federal investigation began after law enforcement received two separate CyberTips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children involving another Columbus man who was later charged with federal child pornography offenses, including exploitation of a minor.
Investigators seized devices belonging to that man and conducted a forensic examination. According to federal prosecutors, investigators discovered conversations between the man and Bigham that were sexual in nature and included discussions about engaging in sexual activity with minors. (Department of Justice)
Authorities said that between August 2024 and May 2025, Bigham received child sexual abuse material during those conversations, including files depicting prepubescent children being sexually abused by adults. Prosecutors also said Bigham solicited the other man for images of a fictitious female minor whom Bigham believed actually existed. (Department of Justice)
At the time of the conduct, Bigham was employed as a firefighter with the Columbus Division of Fire. Investigators reported that photographs of Bigham matched photographs exchanged during the conversations. (Department of Justice)
According to WBNS-10TV, Bigham joined the Columbus Division of Fire in December 2021 and was assigned to Station 5 on McNaughten Road. Following the federal investigation, he was placed on administrative leave and later resigned from the department. (10TV)
The case involved Homeland Security Investigations, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the DEA Columbus Airport Group and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office.
Federal prosecutors said the investigation was conducted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative focused on investigating and prosecuting child sexual exploitation offenses and identifying and rescuing victims.
