Mark Tarrant, 73, the founder and former owner of Altamira Fine Art, has reached a plea agreement that may help him avoid a felony conviction in a child exploitation case—provided he successfully completes probation. This agreement could also mean he may not have to register as a sex offender, though final approval rests with the court.
Charges and Background
Tarrant faces two felony counts for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), which includes any image, video, or digital file showing a minor in sexual acts or being exploited.
Although Wyoming state law still uses the outdated term “child pornography,” experts and advocates prefer “child sexual abuse material,” emphasizing that minors cannot consent and that these materials represent abuse, not pornography.
Details of the Plea Agreement
Under the proposed deal filed in Teton County District Court, Tarrant will plead guilty to one count, while prosecutors will dismiss the second. He would then serve three years of supervised probation.
If Judge Melissa Owens accepts the plea, Tarrant will also agree not to request an early end to his probation and must comply with all court-ordered evaluations, treatments, or monitoring.
Notably, because Wyoming law requires registration only for “convicted offenders,” Tarrant may not be listed as a sex offender if he fulfills probation successfully.
Legal Implications and Conditions
This plea falls under Wyoming Statute 7-13-301, which allows judges to withhold a conviction during probation. If Tarrant completes the three-year term without violations, the court could dismiss the case entirely, leaving him without a felony record.
However, if he violates the terms, Judge Owens could immediately convict and sentence him. Without this plea agreement, Tarrant would face up to 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
Court and Prosecution Reactions
Tarrant’s defense attorney, Bret King, described the deal as a “fair and just resolution.” Meanwhile, Prosecuting Attorney Dick Stout declined to comment since the matter remains active in the judicial process.
Ultimately, Judge Owens has full discretion to accept, reject, or delay the plea pending a pre-sentence investigation—a standard report used to determine appropriate penalties.
Similar Cases in Teton County
Historically, Teton County judges have approved similar probation-based plea agreements when prosecutors and probation officers favored treatment over imprisonment, especially in cases involving limited quantities of illicit material.
However, courts have rejected such deals when offenders distributed CSAM, engaged in repeated offenses, or when identifiable victims were involved.
How the Investigation Began
The case started after a cyber tip from Dropbox, which led investigators to an account sharing child sexual abuse videos linked to an email under the Altamira Fine Art domain. Law enforcement traced the account’s IP address to Tarrant’s home, where they seized multiple devices during his December 11, 2024 arrest.
Tarrant spent two nights in jail before posting a $50,000 bond.
Case Progress and Upcoming Sentencing
Throughout 2025, the case moved toward trial, with both sides filing pretrial motions and preparing jury instructions and witness lists. However, in October 2025, the court scheduled a change-of-plea hearing for October 21, during which Tarrant submitted the proposed plea deal.
A sentencing date has yet to be set.
Mark Tarrant’s future now depends on Judge Owens’ decision. If she accepts the plea and Tarrant fulfills all probation conditions, he could avoid a felony conviction and potential sex offender registration. However, failure to comply could lead to immediate sentencing and permanent legal consequences.
