Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

justice.gov/psc #ProjectSafeChildhood

Correspondence to the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood, may be sent to: Office of Justice Programs– Mailing Address

Office of Justice Programs

Office of the Assistant Attorney General

810 Seventh Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20531

Attn: Project Safe Childhood

askojp@ncjrs.gov

Phone: 202-514-2000

Media/Congressional Inquiries

Congressional Affairs: 202-307-0703; askojp@ncjrs.gov

Office of Communications (media requests): 202-307-0703; ojp.ocom@usdoj.gov

Steven J. Grocki

Chief, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

CONTACT

CEOS Direct Line

(202) 514-5780

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Rhode Island

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 15, 2021

Pascoag Man Admits to Possessing and Distributing Child Pornography

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Pascoag man arrested twice on child pornography charges faces between five and twenty years in federal prison when he is sentenced in February 2022, having pleaded guilty today to charges of distribution and possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, in November 2018, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents developed information that an IP address in Rhode Island was being used to post child pornography on an Internet messaging and networking application. On November 20, 2018, HSI agents discovered at least 19 videos depicting child pornography posted by the same user at the Pascoag residence, later identified as Jacob S. Munroe, 23.

On June 5, 2019, while executing a court-authorized search of Munroe’s residence, images and videos depicting child pornography were observed on Munroe’s cell phone. Munroe was arrested and released on unsecured bond. In an unrelated investigation, on November 4, 2020, while awaiting trial on charges related to his November 2018 arrest, Munroe was arrested by Rhode Island State Police when it was determined that on August 24, 2020, he downloaded images depicting child pornography.

Appearing today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Munroe pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 22, 2022.

Distribution of child pornography is punishable by a statutory penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, with a minimum mandatory term of incarceration of 5 years. Possession of child pornography is punishable by a term of incarceration of up to 20 years.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P Donnelly.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/pr/pascoag-man-admits-possessing-and-distributing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Connecticut

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 15, 2021

Former East Hartford Resident Admits Making Cell Phone Videos of Him Sexually Assaulting a Child

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SAEED MUSTAPHA MOUSSA, 31, a citizen of Ghana last residing in East Hartford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven to a child exploitation offense related to his sexual assault of a minor.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in September 2020, East Hartford Police received a report that Moussa’s cell phone contained videos of Moussa engaging in sexual activity with a young child. East Hartford Police subsequently conducted a court-authorized search of Moussa’s residence and seized Moussa’s cell phone, computer equipment and computer storage media. Investigators also executed a search warrant on Google for the contents of Moussa’s Google Photos account. The cell phone and Google Photos account contained videos, taken between 2018 and 2020, of Moussa sexually assaulting a girl who was born in 2012.

Moussa pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years. Judge Merriam scheduled sentencing for February 7, 2022.

Moussa has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on October 27, 2020.

This matter has been investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the East Hartford Police Department and the West Chester Township (Ohio) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle thanked the Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/former-east-hartford-resident-admits-making-cell-phone-videos-him-sexually-assaulting

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 15, 2021

Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Pornography

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 15 years’ incarceration, to be served consecutively to a sentence of 10 to 20 years’ incarceration imposed in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, followed by 10 years’ supervised release on his conviction of production and attempted production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

United States District Judge William S. Stickman, IV imposed the sentence on Matthew Joseph Gourley, age 49, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, on January 6, 2020, Gourley forced Minor A, a minor female victim, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction, namely, a digital image and a video, depicting Minor A engaging in sexually explicit content. Gourley’s conduct was discovered by law enforcement during an online undercover operation.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Stickman stated “there is no room to debate the seriousness” of Gourley’s crime, calling Gourley’s documentation of his sexual abuse of Minor A “heinous, inexcusable, abhorrent.”

Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/pittsburgh-man-sentenced-15-years-federal-prison-producing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 15, 2021

Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced To Six Years In Federal Prison For Violating Terms Of His Supervised Release

Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza today revoked the supervised release of Jason Moriarty (38, Orlando) and sentenced him to six years in federal prison to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. Moriarty was arrested on August 23, 2021, and has been detained pending this final hearing.

Moriarty was found guilty on November 15, 2021.

According to court documents, on July 21, 2004, Moriarty was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison and a lifetime term of supervised release for attempting to receive, receiving, and possessing with the intent to sell material containing images of children being sexually abused, attempting to possess and possessing material containing images of child sex abuse, and receiving and possessing with the intent to distribute an obscene image depicting the sexual abuse of a minor. On July 1, 2021, Moriarty began his supervision after his release from federal prison.

On August 13 and 14, 2021, following his release from prison, Moriarty accessed the internet through a computer at the public library, in violation of his supervision terms. During an interview, Moriarty admitted he had accessed the internet and confirmed he took photos using his cellphone which he later deleted. A forensic review of Moriarty’s phone revealed that it contained more than 400 images of child erotica. Several images also depicted children being “kidnapped,” tied up, or bound by duct tape. Moriarty also possessed a photo depicting a kidnapping kit.

This case was investigated by the United States Probation Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Beatriz Gonzalez.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/convicted-sex-offender-sentenced-six-years-federal-prison-violating-terms-his

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 15, 2021

Rochester Man Going To Prison For 30 Years For Production Of Child Pornography

CONTACT: Barbara Burns

PHONE: (716) 843-5817

FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jeremy Hernandez, 30, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of producing child pornography, was sentenced to 30 years in prison and 15 years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the case, stated that in September and October 2018, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received information from Tumblr, an electronic service provider, that a user had uploaded several images of child pornography to a blog on Tumblr’s platform. The information was forwarded to investigators at the New York State Police who identified the defendant as the source.

On October 24, 2019, investigators seized several digital devices, including two cell phones, belonging to Hernandez. A forensic analysis uncovered images and videos on the cell phones, which depicted the defendant sexually abusing an 11- to 12-year-old minor on multiple occasions between 2017 and 2019.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; the New York State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, under the direction of Major Barry Chase; Monroe County Child Protective Services, under the direction of Commissioner Thalia Wright; the Bivona Child Advocacy Center, under the direction of Executive Director Deb Rosen; and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/rochester-man-going-prison-30-years-production-child-pornography

https://toresays.com/2019/04/08/obama-shut-down-child-porn-investigation-implicating-many-politicians-3-letter-agency-officials/

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 15, 2021

Former Metro Elementary School Employee Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography Using a Student and to Possession of Child Pornography

OKLAHOMA CITY — Today, GREG ALLEN HENKE, 41, of Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and to possession of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

On May 13, 2021, FBI agents arrested Henke in Oklahoma City after he met with an undercover agent to attempt to engage in sexual activities with children. He has been in federal custody since his arrest. Prior to his arrest, Henke was employed at Highland Park Elementary School in the Mid-Del school district.

On June 1, 2021, a federal grand jury returned an Indictment against Henke, charging him with attempted receipt of child pornography and attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. That Indictment alleged that on or about May 10, 2021, Henke knowingly attempted to receive child pornography using a means and facility of interstate and foreign commerce. The Indictment further alleged that, between April 1, 2021 and about May 13, 2021, Henke used a cell phone and the internet to attempt to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity.

On September 7, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a Superseding Indictment against Henke. The Superseding Indictment added to the original Indictment one charge of possession of material containing child pornography and two charges of production of child pornography. Specifically, the Superseding Indictment alleges that between 2019 and 2021, Henke used two minor students at Highland Park Elementary School to engage in sexually explicit conduct. The Superseding Indictment alleged that Henke used his cell phone to capture the sexually explicit conduct.

At a plea hearing today, Henke pleaded guilty to one count of producing child pornography using a student, while he was a paraprofessional at Highland Park Elementary School. Henke also pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography on several electronic devices. As part of a plea agreement, the United States agreed to dismiss at sentencing the remaining charges.

At sentencing, which is anticipated to take place in about 90 days, Henke faces a maximum penalty of 50 years in federal prison, in addition to a term of supervised release for not less than five years and up to life. The plea of guilty to producing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in federal prison.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Oklahoma City Field Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bow Bottomly is prosecuting the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdok/pr/former-metro-elementary-school-employee-pleads-guilty-producing-child-pornography-using

https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/10/20/2021/oversight-of-the-department-of-homeland-security

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Indiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Husband and Wife Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Five Children

Defendants Abused their Positions of Trust to Sexually Exploit the Children Over Several Years

INDIANAPOLIS – A Monroe County, Indiana couple have been sentenced for their roles in a scheme to sexually abuse five children and keep that scheme hidden from authorities. Matthew Cole, 31, was sentenced to over 41 years in prison and his wife, Dolores Cole, 41, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. All of the children were rescued as a result of the investigation.

Beginning in 2014, the Coles were living in Arizona and had custody, care, or supervisory control of six children. A child protection agency received a report that one or both Coles were sexually abusing the children. Over the next few years, multiple allegations of abuse were made. To avoid having the children permanently removed from their care and to prevent police or child protection agencies from discovering the sexual abuse, the Coles moved the children to residences in different states. The Coles moved through Arizona, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma, and ultimately to Indiana, where their scheme ended when search warrants were executed at their residence in August of 2018.

The investigation by authorities in Indiana uncovered evidence that five of the six children had been sexually abused. And investigators found evidence that Matthew Cole produced and distributed sexually explicit images of one of the children. Investigators also learned that both Coles threatened the children, telling them that they should not tell law enforcement officers what was happening to them, which led to prolonged abuse of the children.

Mathew Cole pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport minors across state lines with the intent to engage in a criminal sexual activity, sexual exploitation of a child, and witness tampering. Dolores Cole pled guilty to being an accessory after the fact to sexual exploitation of a child, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice.

“The pain and damage inflicted on these children at the hands of adults they trusted is unimaginable,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “No sentence of imprisonment will undo what these victims have suffered, but the serious consequences imposed for these heinous offenses demonstrate that those who sexually exploit vulnerable children will be held accountable for their reprehensible actions.”

“To prey on children in your care and harm them in such a heinous way is reprehensible and beyond comprehension,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan. “Their sentences should serve as a strong reminder that the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to identifying and holding accountable those who victimize innocent children to ensure they can never again inflict such abuse.”

This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and the Indiana Department of Children’s Services.

According to Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley P. Shepard and Kristina M. Korobov, who prosecuted the case, Matthew Cole must pay restitution of $50,000 to the victims and will be supervised for the remainder of his life following release from prison. Dolores Cole must pay restitution of $18,000 to the victims and will be supervised for 3 years following her prison term.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/husband-and-wife-sentenced-sexually-exploiting-five-children

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Bulgarian National And Washington State Man Charged in Connection With International Enterprise That Operated Sexually Exploitive “Child Modeling” Websites

Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Karin Hoppmann announces the unsealing of two indictments in connection with an international enterprise based in Florida that operated subscription-based sexually exploitative “child modeling” websites. Plamen Georgiev Velinov (48, Sofia, Bulgaria) is charged with conspiring to advertise and distribute child pornography in connection with the Florida-based enterprise. Anthony Lee Kendall (55, Mossyrock, WA) is charged with money laundering and money laundering conspiracy in connection with his laundering of approximately $1 million for the enterprise.

Arrests of Defendants Velinov and Kendall

Velinov was arrested yesterday in Sofia, Bulgaria by officers from Bulgarian National Investigative Service and the Sofia Metropolitan Police at the request of the United States. Kendall was arrested yesterday in Washington.

If convicted, Velinov faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment for conspiring to advertise child pornography, a minimum 5 years’ imprisonment for conspiring to distribute child pornography, and a total maximum penalty of 50 years’ imprisonment for both offenses. The indictment also notifies Velinov that the United States intends to forfeit more than $434,000 in assets that are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offenses. If convicted, Kendall faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of the five-count money laundering charges in the indictment. The indictment also notifies Kendall that the United States intends to forfeit $944,678 in assets that are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offenses.

According to court documents, Velinov assisted with directing and controlling the foreign functions of the Newstar Enterprise—an internet-based business aimed at for-profit sexual exploitation of vulnerable children under the guise of “child modeling” through a collection of websites called the Newstar Websites. Velinov helped maintain and update the Newstar Websites. Kendall performed financial functions essential to the Newstar Enterprise. Kendall fraudulently opened payment processing, merchant, and bank accounts for the Newstar Enterprise and facilitated, conducted, and concealed monetary transactions involving approximately $1 million in revenue from the Newstar Websites. Kenneth Power (deceased at 58, of Weston), was a principal member of the Newstar Enterprise who directed and controlled its operations. Patrice Eileen Wilowski-Mevorah (53, of Tampa) and Mary Lou Bjorkman (58, of Lutz) recently pleaded guilty to laundering money for the Newstar Enterprise. Kenneth Power’s wife, Tatiana “Tanya” Power (41, of Weston), is currently pending trial on money laundering charges in connection with the Newstar Enterprise. Other members of the Newstar Enterprise resided in Europe.

The Newstar Enterprise and Status of Other Defendants

According to court documents, founded around 2005, the Newstar Enterprise built, maintained, hosted, and operated the Newstar Websites on servers in the United States and abroad. To populate the Newstar Websites with content, Newstar Enterprise members sourced, enticed, solicited and recruited males and females under the age of 18, some of whom were prepubescent, to use as “child models” for the Newstar Websites. Using the recruited child-victims, the Newstar Enterprise produced more than 4.6 million sexualized images and videos to distribute and sell on the Newstar Websites. Some of those images and videos, though non-nude, depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. For example, images and videos sold on the Newstar Websites depicted children as young as 6 years old in sexual and provocative poses, wearing police and cheerleader costumes, thong underwear, transparent underwear, revealing swimsuits, pantyhose, and miniskirts. Most of the child-victims—recruited from Ukraine, Moldova, and other nations in Eastern Europe—were particularly vulnerable due to their age, family dynamics and poverty. Law enforcement officers have disabled the servers hosting the Newstar Websites.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/bulgarian-national-and-washington-state-man-charged-connection-international-enterprise

>>15011949

The Newstar Enterprise maintained a membership list for subscribers and customers of the Newstar Websites, who originated from 101 nations across the world. Images in the websites’ galleries were freely available to the public to preview, but greater access and more content required purchasing a subscription. The sale of purported “child modeling” content on the Newstar Websites generated more than $9.4 million during the course of the conspiracy. To process, receive and distribute this money, Newstar Enterprise members fraudulently opened merchant and bank accounts in the United States and laundered proceeds using a bogus jewelry company.

To date, six members of the Newstar Enterprise have been charged in connection with the Newstar Websites. The chart below shows the status of each case.

The defendants have also been notified that the United States intends to forfeit a total of $9.4 million, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offenses, in addition to real property located in Florida.

These cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations in Tampa and the High Technology Investigative Unit of the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), with substantial assistance provided by Homeland Security Investigations offices in Fort Lauderdale, Athens, and the Hague, U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Sofia, Bulgaria, as well as the IRS Criminal Investigation in Tampa.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Murray of the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Kyle Reynolds of the CEOS are prosecuting these cases.

This investigation benefited from foreign law enforcement cooperation and substantial assistance by the Republic of Bulgaria, Supreme Cassation Prosecution Office and National Investigation Service; the Republic of Moldova, Office of the Prosecutor General and National Inspectorate of Investigations; International Legal Assistance Center (IRC), North-Holland Unit; the Cantonal Police (Berne); and the Czech Republic, Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office, Czech Police. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided investigative assistance.

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Central District of Illinois

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Former Piatt County Resident Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Child Pornography Offenses

URBANA, Ill. –Neal A. Evans, 51, previously of Piatt County and now of rural Ogden, Illinois, was sentenced on November 16, 2021, to 60 months’ imprisonment for receipt and possession of child pornography.

At Evans’s sentencing hearing, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Michael M. Mihm noted the significant and long-lasting impact to the child victims depicted in the images Evans possessed.

In July 2021, Evans had entered a plea of guilty to both counts of the indictment: attempted receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography, with both offenses alleged to have occurred in January 2018. Evans was released on bond following arraignment on the indictment but was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals after his guilty plea.

The statutory penalty for receipt of child pornography is five to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000; possession of child pornography carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Following Evans’s release from the Bureau of Prisons, he will be on federal supervised release for eight years and will be required to register as a sex offender.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the Macon County, Illinois, Sheriff’s office, with the assistance of the Decatur Police Department. Evans was previously employed in Macon County. Assistant U. S. Attorney Elly M. Peirson represented the government in the prosecution

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/former-piatt-county-resident-sentenced-five-years-prison-child-pornography-offenses

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Nevada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Las Vegas Man Sentenced For Attempting To Sexually Exploit A Child And Receiving Child Pornography

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced Monday to 27 years in prison for attempting to sexually exploit a child and for receiving child pornography using a file sharing network.

“Child pornography and sexual exploitation of children are appalling crimes that have been on the rise as predators use technology to gain easier access to communication with children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada. “Working with our law enforcement partners, our office will continue to prioritize protecting children from sexual abuse.”

“The FBI is committed to stopping and holding accountable anyone who engages in the sexual exploitation of children.” said Aaron C. Rouse, FBI Las Vegas Special Agent in Charge. “Every time child pornography is viewed on the internet it re-victimizes a child. Together with our partners, we are dedicated to investigating and bringing federal charges against those who commit these heinous crimes.”

According to court documents, in June 2016, Richard Fred Dittmer III (25) utilized the BitTorrent file sharing network to download child pornography. During the execution of a search warrant at Dittmer’s residence, he admitted to receiving images and videos of child pornography, as well as to uploading child pornography to YouTube. A forensic examination of electronic devices belonging to Dittmer revealed over 365 images and 18 videos of child pornography, including sadistic and masochistic images. He was charged in federal court and released on pretrial supervision.

While on pretrial supervision, between December 2018 and February 2019, Dittmer III coerced a 13-year-old girl on Snapchat into creating sexually explicit images and videos of herself. He then threatened to send those images to students at the victim’s school unless she sent him additional images.

Dittmer III pleaded guilty in January 2021 to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a child. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey sentenced him to a lifetime term of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution to the victims.

This case was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bianca Pucci and Christopher Burton prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/las-vegas-man-sentenced-attempting-sexually-exploit-child-and-receiving-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Boston Man Charged with Child Exploitation Offense

Defendant allegedly solicited a minor on TikTok while on state probation for sexual exploitation offenses

BOSTON – A Boston man, who is on probation following a state conviction for child exploitation offenses, including trafficking, was charged yesterday with allegedly soliciting a minor on TikTok.

Hector Acevedo, 31, of Jamaica Plain, was charged with one count of sexual exploitation of children. On Oct. 20, 2021, Acevedo was arrested on related state charges and has been in custody since. Acevedo will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the charging documents, Acevedo is a Level 3 registered sex offender. Acevedo was previously convicted in Suffolk County Superior Court on multiple child and sexual exploitation offenses including trafficking of a person for sexual servitude, extortion by threat of injury, posing or exhibiting a child in state of nudity or sexual conduct, dissemination of matter harmful to minors, dissemination of child pornography and purchase or possession of child pornography. On Feb. 13, 2018, Acevedo was sentenced to five-to-seven years in state prison and three years of probation. While on state probation, Acevedo allegedly solicited a minor via TikTok and coerced the victim to engage in sexual conduct over video chat.

The charges of sexual exploitation of children provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Arlington and Revere Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna Nuzum of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/boston-man-charged-child-exploitation-offense

Office of Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Registered Child Sex Offender Sentenced for Sexual Exploitation of Children and Possession of Child Pornography

A Vermont man was sentenced today to 200 months, or more than 16 years, in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for the sexual exploitation of children and possessing child pornography. As part of his sentence, he will also pay $37,199 in restitution.

Ryan Beaulieu, 45, of Underhill, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography on March 29. According to court documents, Beaulieu used an anonymous video chat website to contact multiple prepubescent children and directed them to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Beaulieu used screen recording software to create videos of those children displaying their genitals while he sent sexually explicit messages. A search of Beaulieu’s digital devices revealed thousands of images of child sexual abuse material and contained records of his active participation in numerous online groups dedicated to producing and trafficking child sexual abuse material. Beaulieu was previously convicted in 2013 for sexually abusing a prepubescent child and was registered as a sex offender at the time of his offenses.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt for the District of Vermont made the announcement.

The Office of the Vermont Attorney General, Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, and FBI investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Eduardo A. Palomo of the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt for the District of Vermont prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/registered-child-sex-offender-sentenced-sexual-exploitation-children-and-possession-child

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Former University of Michigan Professor Pleads Guilty To Charges of Child Exploitation of a Minor

DETROIT – Former University of Michigan professor pleaded guilty one count of transporting a minor girl across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual conduct, announced Acting United States Attorney Saima Mohsin.

Mohsin was joined in the announcement by Acting Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Pleading guilty was Stephen Shipps, 68, of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

From 1989 to 2019, Shipps was employed by the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance as a violin professor. Shipps was also the director of the Strings Preparatory Program, which offered instruction to young musicians ranging from elementary school through high school-age. Shipps retired from the University of Michigan in February 2019. In addition, Shipps served on the faculties of Indiana University, the North Carolina School of the Arts, the University of Nebraska – Omaha, and the Banff Centre in Canada. He also taught students at summer music programs in the Czech Republic, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

According to court records, from February and March of 2002, as well as in June and July of 2002, Shipps knowingly transported a minor girl, who was under 18 years old, across state lines, and Shipps intended to engage in sexual activity with her.

“Shipps used his position of trust to sexually exploit a child. Well regarded music professors at prestigious universities with competitive music programs like the University of Michigan enjoy tremendous influence within the music community. These professors often have the ability to make or break careers. Stephen Shipps was an influential and highly sought after violin professor who had successfully launched many careers. I commend the brave young woman who stepped forward and exposed Shipps’s abuse,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Mohsin. “This case proves that the passage of time, no matter how long, will not deter us from bringing to justice those who prey on our most vulnerable.”

“Thanks to the remarkable bravery of Shipps’ victims and painstaking investigative work by HSI, this disgraced professor is being held accountable for coercing vulnerable young women into sex acts,” said James C. Harris, acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations field offices in Michigan and Ohio. “This case underscores HSI’s commitment to give due credibility to all allegations of sexual exploitation of minors and to bring some measure of justice to the victims.”

Shipps faces a statutory maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison when he is scheduled to be sentenced on February 17, 2021 at 11 am.

This case was investigated by agents of HSI with the assistance of the University of Michigan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Woodward is prosecuting this case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/pr/former-university-michigan-professor-pleads-guilty-charges-child-exploitation-minor

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Pittsfield Man Pleads Guilty to Failing to Register as a Sex Offender

BOSTON – A Pittsfield man pleaded guilty on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 in federal court in Springfield to failing to register as a sex offender.

Jarrett Woodruff, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of failure to register as a sex offender before U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni who scheduled sentencing for March 14, 2022. Woodruff was charged in November 2020.

In August 2018, Woodruff was convicted in Pittsfield District Court of three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years of age and was sentenced to 251 days in prison. Because Woodruff had already served 251 days during pre-trial detention, he was placed on probation with conditions and was required to register as a Level 3 sex offender. While on probation, Woodruff fled from Massachusetts to Ohio without notifying authorities of his whereabouts and did not register as a sex offender in Ohio.

In February 2019, a Massachusetts state court issued an arrest warrant for Woodruff on a new child sexual abuse charge. Woodruff subsequently fled from Ohio to Georgia, where he again did not register as a sex offender. In October 2020, he was located and approached by federal agents at an apartment in Dunwoody, Ga. Woodruff attempted to evade arrest by climbing into the adjoining neighbors’ apartment balconies before jumping to the ground where he was apprehended.

The charge of failure to register as a sex offender provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Douglas Bartlett, Acting United States Marshal for the District of Massachusetts made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/pittsfield-man-pleads-guilty-failing-register-sex-offender

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Nebraska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 12, 2021

Omaha Man Sentenced for Distribution of Child Pornography

Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Timothy Fox, 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court for distribution and receipt of child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Fox to 128 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Fox will serve 15 years of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.

In August 2020, members of the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force conducting undercover investigations into peer-to-peer file sharing of child exploitation materials identified an IP address associated with a residence in Omaha, Nebraska, as sharing files of child pornography. In December 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at the residence of Fox and co-defendant Kevin Jacoway and seized several electronic devices. More than 4,000 images and 700 videos depicting child pornography were located on devices that Fox claimed as his own. Co-defendant Jacoway is scheduled for sentencing on January 14, 2022.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/omaha-man-sentenced-distribution-child-pornography-0

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Connecticut

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Guilford Man Charged with Child Exploitation Offense

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging CHRISTOPHER MICHAELSON, 37, of Guilford, with receipt of child pornography.

The indictment was returned on November 3. Michaelson appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on January 9, 2019, the Guilford Police Department assisted Burrillville (R.I.) Police with the arrest of Michaelson at his residence in Guilford on Rhode Island state charges for child molestation, solicitation and enticement. During the arrest, officers seized Michaelson’s cellphone. A court-authorized search of the seized phone revealed hundreds of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, primarily boys between the ages of five and 15.

Michaelson has been detained since his arrest.

The charge of receipt of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, the Guilford Police Department and the Burrillville Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie T. Levick and Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/guilford-man-charged-child-exploitation-offense

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Wakpala Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Wakpala, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Fabian Carlo Rodriguez, age 30, was indicted on November 9, 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on November 15, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to ten years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

Rodriguez was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in November 2014. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender. It is alleged that between February 6, 2021, and July 28, 2021, Rodriguez, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of conviction under federal Law, failed to properly register as a sex offender and update his registration.

The charge is merely an accusation and Rodriguez is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.

Rodriguez was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/wakpala-man-indicted-failure-register-sex-offender

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of West Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Harrison County man admits to child pornography charge

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Randy McKinley, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, has admitted to a child pornography charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

McKinley, 57, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” McKinley admitted to having child pornography with children under the age of 12 in October 2020 in Harrison County.

McKinley faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bridgeport Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office investigated

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/harrison-county-man-admits-child-pornography-charge-0

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Fresno Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography

FRESNO, Calif. — Tanner Joel Hernandez-Fields, 21, of Fresno, pleaded guilty Monday to receipt and distribution of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between March 19, 2019, and April 12, 2019, Hernandez-Fields did knowingly receive or distribute one or more matters containing any visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct using an Apple iPhone. Hernandez-Fields received between 150 and 300 images, including video files. These images included depictions of pre‑pubescent minors including material that meets the definition of sadistic or masochistic conduct.

This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura D. Withers is prosecuting the case.

Hernandez-Fields is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Feb.22, 2022. Hernandez-Fields faces a minimum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/fresno-man-pleads-guilty-receipt-and-distribution-child-pornography

Fresno Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/fresno-man-pleads-guilty-receipt-and-distribution-child-pornography

Harrison County man admits to child pornography charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/harrison-county-man-admits-child-pornography-charge-0

Wakpala Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/wakpala-man-indicted-failure-register-sex-offender

Guilford Man Charged with Child Exploitation Offense

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/guilford-man-charged-child-exploitation-offense

Omaha Man Sentenced for Distribution of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/omaha-man-sentenced-distribution-child-pornography-0

Pittsfield Man Pleads Guilty to Failing to Register as a Sex Offender

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/pittsfield-man-pleads-guilty-failing-register-sex-offender

Former University of Michigan Professor Pleads Guilty To Charges of Child Exploitation of a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/pr/former-university-michigan-professor-pleads-guilty-charges-child-exploitation-minor

Registered Child Sex Offender Sentenced for Sexual Exploitation of Children and Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/registered-child-sex-offender-sentenced-sexual-exploitation-children-and-possession-child

Boston Man Charged with Child Exploitation Offense

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/boston-man-charged-child-exploitation-offense

Las Vegas Man Sentenced For Attempting To Sexually Exploit A Child And Receiving Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/las-vegas-man-sentenced-attempting-sexually-exploit-child-and-receiving-child-pornography

Former Piatt County Resident Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Child Pornography Offenses

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/former-piatt-county-resident-sentenced-five-years-prison-child-pornography-offenses

Bulgarian National And Washington State Man Charged in Connection With International Enterprise That Operated Sexually Exploitive “Child Modeling” Websites

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/bulgarian-national-and-washington-state-man-charged-connection-international-enterprise

Husband and Wife Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Five Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/husband-and-wife-sentenced-sexually-exploiting-five-children

Former Metro Elementary School Employee Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography Using a Student and to Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdok/pr/former-metro-elementary-school-employee-pleads-guilty-producing-child-pornography-using

Rochester Man Going To Prison For 30 Years For Production Of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/rochester-man-going-prison-30-years-production-child-pornography

Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced To Six Years In Federal Prison For Violating Terms Of His Supervised Release

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/convicted-sex-offender-sentenced-six-years-federal-prison-violating-terms-his

Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/pittsburgh-man-sentenced-15-years-federal-prison-producing-child-pornography

Former East Hartford Resident Admits Making Cell Phone Videos of Him Sexually Assaulting a Child

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/former-east-hartford-resident-admits-making-cell-phone-videos-him-sexually-assaulting

Pascoag Man Admits to Possessing and Distributing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/pr/pascoag-man-admits-possessing-and-distributing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of New Jersey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Cumberland County Man Charged with Child Pornography

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Cumberland County, New Jersey, man was arrested today for allegedly distributing and possessing images of child sexual abuse, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Edwin Torres, aka “Macho Torres,” 38, of Bridgeton, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ann Marie Donio in Camden federal court and was detained without bail.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In May 2020, a user of a social media application uploaded to a public chat group multiple videos of child sexual abuse from an internet provider address linked to Torres’ residence. In September 2021, law enforcement agents executed search warrants at Torres’ residence and on a Google account associated with the social media account used to distribute the videos in May 2020. The Google account, which also had been accessed from Torres’ residence, contained over 100 videos of child sexual abuse, including videos whose content matched the videos distributed in May 2020. During the search of Torres’ residence, agents seized Torres’ cellular telephone, which had been used to access the same Google account.

The count of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. The count of possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s charges. She also thanked the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae, for its assistance in the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the Camden Office.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/cumberland-county-man-charged-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Prior Felon Sentenced To 25 Years In Federal Prison For Production Of Child Pornography

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Steven Michael Krpata, Jr., 43, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for production of child pornography. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Krpata hid a camera in the women’s restroom of a North Central Florida restaurant and had been recording images from July 2018 through early August 2020. The camera was hidden in an air conditioning vent above the handicap stall. A search of Krpata’s computer revealed files of nude women and children using the restroom. At the time of his arrest, Krpata was serving probation in connection with his 2008 conviction for possession of child pornography.

“Today’s sentence acknowledges the deviant acts of a child predator and the associated harm,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Coody. “With the assistance of our law enforcement partners, we remain vigilant to investigate and prosecute those who would seek to harm our most vulnerable.”

Krpata will be required to register as a sex offender and be subject to all sex offender conditions.

“HSI hopes the sentence imposed on this admitted child predator brings a small measure of peace and recovery to his victims,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “HSI Gainesville will continue to focus on providing support to his victims.”

The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Frank Williams prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/prior-felon-sentenced-25-years-federal-prison-production-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Iowa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Des Moines Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Sex Trafficking

Marlin Santana Thomas sex trafficked six adult victims and one minor victim

DES MOINES, Iowa – On November 15, 2021, Marlin Santana Thomas, age 46, of Des Moines was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to life in prison for sex trafficking six victims by force, fraud, and coercion announced United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal. Thomas was ordered to pay $600 to the Crime Victims’ Fund and a restitution hearing was set for February 7, 2022.

Thomas pleaded guilty to sex trafficking six adult victims and admitted to trafficking a 14- year-old victim on May 12, 2021. Thomas admitted in his plea agreement to trafficking victims beginning in 2009, and as recently as February 28, 2018, when he was arrested as part of a separate federal drug investigation, for which he is currently serving a term of federal imprisonment. At sentencing, Des Moines Police Department Sergeant Brady Carney testified that he had interviewed an additional 11 women who Thomas had raped, attempted to sex traffic, and/or physical assaulted.

In the plea agreement, Thomas admitted using physical violence against all six adult victims to coerce them to engage in commercial sex acts, including punching one victim in the face and assaulting another in her home after she told Thomas she was done working for him. Thomas admitted to knowing one victim was a heroin addict and using her addiction to coerce her into engaging in commercial sex acts. Thomas also admitted to arranging for a 14-year-old to engage in commercial sex acts, knowing that she was not yet 18 years old. Thomas admitted to posting online escort advertisements of victims transporting them to hotels and motels in Iowa as well as Illinois, Missouri, and North Dakota, and keeping the proceeds from the commercial sex acts.

At sentencing, Sergeant Carney testified about tactics Thomas used to target vulnerable women, including approaching women living at residential treatment centers, providing drugs to women struggling with addiction, and feigning romantic interest. Sergeant Carney testified that Thomas assaulted, raped, and stalked victims who did not comply. Sergeant Carney located hotel receipts, police reports, phone records, online escort ads, medical records, photographs, and witnesses who verified the victim’s accounts. The United States presented victim impact statements on behalf of six women, recounting the harm inflicted by Thomas and its lasting effects.

When imposing sentence, Chief Judge Jarvey characterized Thomas’s crimes as depraved, stating that Thomas had treated humans like currency. He also found Thomas had engaged in serial rape and was a highly dangerous individual. He further noted that Thomas had not expressed any remorse for his crimes or the victims.

This case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Amy Jennings and Former Assistant United States Attorney Virginia Bruner prosecuted the case with the assistance of Victim Witness Specialist Charlotte Kovacs. Additional support for victims was provided by Sara McMillan with Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Services.

Human trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of youth under the age of 18 for commercial sex; the exploitation of adults for commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion; and the exploitation of any individual for compelled labor. Human trafficking does not require the transportation of individuals across state lines, or that someone is physically restrained. Signs that a person is being trafficked can include working excessively long hours, unexplained gifts, physical injury, substance abuse issues, running away from home, isolation from others, or having a person in their life controlling them or monitoring them closely. Victims particularly susceptible to being trafficked include those with criminal histories, a history of physical or sexual abuse, uncertain legal status, and dependency on controlled substances. Individuals who purchase sex from minors or from those who are otherwise exploited for commercial sex are also subject to prosecution for sex trafficking under federal law, if they knew or were in reckless disregard of the fact that they were under the age of 18, or that force, fraud, or coercion was used.

Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring, be it a minor engaging in paid sex acts, or anyone being coerced into prostitution or labor, is urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/des-moines-man-sentenced-life-prison-sex-trafficking

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

North Versailles Man Sentenced to Prison for Possessing 1,200 Images of Child Pornography on His Phone

PITTSBURGH, PA – An Allegheny County resident has been sentenced in federal court to 40 months in prison to be followed by 104 months of supervised release on his conviction of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Travis Kuhns, 28, of North Versailles, PA 15137.

According to information presented to the court, Kuhns was an active member of an online group called Yum Yum Trading, which was notorious for trading child pornography. While a member of the group, Kuhns posted child pornography links to the group and sent links directly to an undercover FBI Agent who had become a member. Kuhns also engaged in online chats with the Agent and expressed his sexual interest in children. Law enforcement subsequently executed a search warrant on Kuhns’s residence and discovered in excess of 1,200 images of child pornography on his cell phone.

Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/north-versailles-man-sentenced-prison-possessing-1200-images-child-pornography-his

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

St. Petersburg Man Sentenced To Fifteen Years For Attempting To Entice And Meet A 5-Year-Old Child For Sex

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Eric James Templeton (33, St. Petersburg) to 15 years in federal prison for attempting to entice and meet a 5-year-old child for sex. Templeton was also ordered to serve a 15-year term of supervised release, to register as a sex offender, and to pay $11,700 in restitution.

Templeton had pleaded guilty on March 9, 2021.

According to court documents, from May 19 through May 21, 2020, Templeton engaged in online chats and text messaging with an individual whom he believed to be the mother of a 5-year-old child. During those conversations, Templeton indicated to the “mother” (actually an undercover Homeland Security Investigations agent) his desire to meet and sexually abuse the child. On May 21, 2020, Templeton agreed to meet the “mother” and her child for that purpose. Templeton arrived at the meeting location in Tampa and was arrested by HSI agents. A search of Templeton’s person revealed that he was carrying a bottle of lubricant and two lollipops.

“Thanks to the partnership between HSI special agents and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, this child predator will now be behind bars,” said HSI Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Micah McCombs.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Claire Favorit.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/st-petersburg-man-sentenced-fifteen-years-attempting-entice-and-meet-5-year-old-child

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Georgia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Cyberstalker sentenced for child exploitation crimes

ATLANTA - Emanuel Gray has been sentenced to prison for producing child pornography and cyberstalking two teenage girls he met online. After the girls broke off communications with him, Gray coerced them into sending sexually explicit photos and videos, and then retaliated against them when they refused to send him more.

“Gray stalked and threatened his victims after they rebuffed his demands,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “He terrorized these girls by threatening to post their photographs online if they did not comply. A jury has held Gray accountable for his inexcusable crimes, and he will now serve time in prison.”

“The facts of this case are disturbing but unfortunately all too common,” said Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, Chris Hacker. “This sentencing sends a message to Gray and any other predators that the FBI will go to any length to bring child predators to justice. We would like to remind the community to remain vigilant with online relationships and to never send compromising images of yourself to anyone, no matter who they say they are.”

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Between May 2017 and November 2018, when he was arrested, Emanuel Gray targeted at least two teenage girls who he had met online through various social media apps, including Kik and Snapchat. While chatting online, the girls—who both testified at trial but did not know each other—sent sexually suggestive images and/or videos of themselves to Gray.

One of the victims, who was 14 at the time, testified after meeting Gray online they were in a “relationship” for a short time. After she decided to end the relationship, Gray harassed and threatened her until she sent more sexually explicit photos. Gray not only threatened her directly but attempted to “expose her” by posting explicit photos of her on her high school band's Facebook page. The other victim, who was 16 at the time, described being threatened and harassed by Gray in similar manner. Gray sent multiple messages to her high school band's Facebook page and created multiple fake Instagram accounts to “expose her” as well. Both girls also testified that Gray would instruct them on what to show and what to do, including demanding that they masturbate for him.

Emanuel Gray, 22, of Decatur, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones to 20 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Gray will also be required to register as a sex offender upon release from prison. He was charged with two counts of producing child pornography, two counts of cyberstalking, and one count of possession of child pornography. A federal jury convicted him of these charges on July 14, 2021.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Schulenburg, Texas and Villa Rica, Georgia Police Departments.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex R. Sistla and L. Skye Davis, Deputy Chief of the Violent Crime & National Security Section, prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/cyberstalker-sentenced-child-exploitation-crimes

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Wareham Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

BOSTON – A Wareham man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for possessing child pornography.

David St. Jacques, 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release. On April 15, 2021, St. Jacques pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.

In September 2020, a search of St. Jacques’s residence resulted in the seizure of a computer, three phones and one thumb drive that contained child pornography. St. Jacques destroyed at least two other drives and attempted to destroy one of his phones when agents arrived to execute the search warrant. St. Jacques also admitted to exchanging child pornography with other individuals on various chatting applications.

St. Jacques was convicted in March 2009 in Plymouth County Superior Court of several counts of dissemination and possession of child pornography.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Chief of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/wareham-man-sentenced-10-years-prison-possession-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of New Jersey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Passaic County Man Admits Receiving and Possessing Child Pornography

NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County man admitted today to receiving and possessing child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Vaughn Tiedeman, 48, of West Milford, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to receipt and possession of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Between July 2018 and April 2019, Tiedeman downloaded and possessed more than 600 images of child sexual abuse, including images of young children and depictions of violence.

The charge of receipt of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for April 20, 2022.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah A. Sulkowski of the Violent Crime Unit and Francesca Liquori, Chief of the Narcotics/Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit, in Newark.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/passaic-county-man-admits-receiving-and-possessing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to Fourteen Counts of Child Exploitation

PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Mark Allen Hillis, 58, of Southgate, Michigan entered a plea of guilty before United States District Court Judge Eduardo C. Robreno to all charges against him in a 14-count Indictment, including one count of enticing a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, one count of traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct, nine counts of manufacturing and attempted manufacturing of child pornography, two counts of transferring obscene material to a minor, and one count of possessing child pornography. The charges arose from the defendant’s sexual exploitation of a 13-year old child over the internet and by text message over a period of months, his travel from Michigan to Pennsylvania to meet up with her for sex, and his sexual assault of her in a local hotel room when he arrived.

Hillis (also known by his screen name “Denverpolice#666” and the name “Daddy”) met his 13-year-old minor victim in a YouTube chatroom. After obtaining the child’s phone number, Hillis sent her hundreds of obscene images and hounded the minor at all times of the day and night, repeatedly requesting her to produce and send him sexually explicit images of herself via text message. After months of online and text communication, Hillis convinced the child to sneak out of her home in the middle of the night. Hillis, having traveled to Pennsylvania to meet the child victim for sex, then picked her up and took her to a hotel room, where he sexually assaulted her. In addition to the federal charges, Hillis faces state charges related to the sexual assault in Montgomery County.

“Mark Hillis not only manipulated a young child into providing him with explicit images of herself, he traveled across state lines, convinced her to leave her home, and assaulted her – every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “The defendant’s guilty plea ensures that he will be held accountable for being the predator that he is.”

“Online grooming and sexual exploitation of children is a heinous crime that is happening far too often,” said HSI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael. “These investigations will continue to be one of our top priorities to ensure that children around the world are protected from sexual predators. Thanks to this investigation and our partnerships with the local police agencies involved, we were able to identify this predator and protect future children from falling victim.”

“Law enforcement in Montgomery County is ever-vigilant for online perpetrators who prey on children,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele. “We remain focused on protecting this most vulnerable population and working with our state and federal partners to prosecute these dangerous criminals. We thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their tireless work on this case.”

The case was investigated by the Limerick Township Police Department, the Montgomery County Criminal Investigation Division of the District Attorney’s Office, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn Deal.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/michigan-man-pleads-guilty-fourteen-counts-child-exploitation

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Indiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Man Sentenced to 210 Years in Prison for Creating and Distributing Depictions of the Sadistic Sexual Abuse of Children

EVANSVILLE – A Spencer County, Indiana man was sentenced to 210 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting two young children and sharing the images and videos he created.

Trent Walker, 36, began sexually abusing one of the victims when she was a toddler. The abuse continued over a six-year period and was sadistic in nature. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Richard L. Young, who presided, noted that Walker’s abuse of the child could fairly be described as torture. Walker also abused a six-year-old child for a several-month period. Both victims were in Walker’s care when he abused them.

Walker created hundreds of images and videos of his sexual abuse of both victims, which he shared with an online group he ran. The group was dedicated to sadistically exploiting small children, some as young as infants. Walker served as the group’s moderator. He encouraged others to share sadistic abuse material, trained others how to conceal their identities online to avoid detection, and coached members of the group on how to abuse young children psychologically, physically, and sexually.

“The vile conduct that Walker inflicted on his victims is reprehensible and will impact these children for the rest of their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “This sentence ensures that Trent Walker will never have another opportunity to victimize another child and hopefully bring some peace to his victims.”

“The defendant’s repeated sadistic abuse clearly demonstrates he cannot be allowed to be free in the community,” said FBI Indianapolis Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Middleton. “This investigation demonstrates the commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to protect those who can’t protect themselves and ensure individuals who commit such heinous acts are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Indiana State Police investigators work diligently every day, all across Indiana, and in close collaboration with its law enforcement partners, to help bring to justice those who seek to perpetuate the victimization of children,” said Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter.

“The cooperative team effort with our state and federal law enforcement partners, allowed for the successful prosecution of this dangerous predator. The damage that he inflicted in this world cannot be undone, but this sentence ensures that he will never burden a child with his evil ever again,” said Spencer County Sheriff Kelli Reinke.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Spencer County Sheriff’s Office, and the Indiana State Police.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who prosecuted the case, said Walker will serve consecutive prison sentences totaling 210 years and was ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to each victim.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/man-sentenced-210-years-prison-creating-and-distributing-depictions-sadistic-sexual

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Former Preacher Charged for the Sexual Abuse of Five Minors

Other Victims Encouraged to Report Abuse to the FBI at (405) 290-7770

A former Vinita preacher was indicted this week for sexually abusing five minors whose ages ranged from 7 to 16 years old when the abuse occurred, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

Roy Edward Williams, 63, was charged with Coercion and Enticement of a Minor in Indian Country (Counts 1,3,5,6, and 8); Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country (Counts 2,4,9); Abusive Sexual Contact of a Minor Between 12 and 16 Years Old in Indian Country (Count 7); and Possession of Child Pornography (Count 11).

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI encourage any other victims of Williams to come forward and contact the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office at (405) 290-7770.

Williams is alleged to have committed the sex crimes starting on or around November 2002 and as late as December 2018. According to the indictment, Williams also took sexually explicit photographs of several of the victims, paid or offered something of value to several victims immediately following the sexual abuse, and threatened several victims to prevent them from reporting the abuse to others. The defendant was further found in possession of child pornography on June 24, 2019. During the period of the described abuse, Williams was a preacher at Bunker Hill Baptist in Vinita.

Williams was previously charged in Craig County District Court. However, charges were dismissed in April 2021 as Williams is a Cherokee citizen and the alleged crimes occurred in or near Vinita, which is within the Cherokee Nation Reservation. The Cherokee Nation Attorney General’s Office then filed tribal charges against Williams in April, and he is currently in tribal custody awaiting trial. This week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office also filed charges in the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The FBI, Craig County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah Paisner and Edward Snow are prosecuting the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/former-preacher-charged-sexual-abuse-five-minors

Former Preacher Charged for the Sexual Abuse of Five Minors

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/former-preacher-charged-sexual-abuse-five-minors

Man Sentenced to 210 Years in Prison for Creating and Distributing Depictions of the Sadistic Sexual Abuse of Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/man-sentenced-210-years-prison-creating-and-distributing-depictions-sadistic-sexual

Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to Fourteen Counts of Child Exploitation

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/michigan-man-pleads-guilty-fourteen-counts-child-exploitation

Passaic County Man Admits Receiving and Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/passaic-county-man-admits-receiving-and-possessing-child-pornography

Wareham Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/wareham-man-sentenced-10-years-prison-possession-child-pornography

Cyberstalker sentenced for child exploitation crimes

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/cyberstalker-sentenced-child-exploitation-crimes

St. Petersburg Man Sentenced To Fifteen Years For Attempting To Entice And Meet A 5-Year-Old Child For Sex

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/st-petersburg-man-sentenced-fifteen-years-attempting-entice-and-meet-5-year-old-child

North Versailles Man Sentenced to Prison for Possessing 1,200 Images of Child Pornography on His Phone

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/north-versailles-man-sentenced-prison-possessing-1200-images-child-pornography-his

Des Moines Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Sex Trafficking

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/des-moines-man-sentenced-life-prison-sex-trafficking

Prior Felon Sentenced To 25 Years In Federal Prison For Production Of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/prior-felon-sentenced-25-years-federal-prison-production-child-pornography

Cumberland County Man Charged with Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/cumberland-county-man-charged-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of New Jersey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Somerset County Man Charged with Distribution of Child Pornography

NEWARK, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey, man was charged today with allegedly distributing videos and images of child sexual abuse, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Marcevan Manasse, 27, Somerville, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of distribution of child pornography. He appeared by videoconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From Sept. 20, 2020, through Nov. 22, 2020, Manasse distributed material containing images and video files of child sexual abuse, via a publicly available online peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing network of linked computers. Users must download the P2P program, which is widely available for free on the internet. The program allows the user to place files into a designated “shared” folder on a hard drive, from which other P2P program users can then download those files directly to the “shared” folders of their own computers. Users can then browse, search, select, and directly download, those files. The program typically keeps a log of each downloaded event.

Law enforcement officials conducted an undercover online session to access the P2P program and to download five video files and 11 images containing child sexual abuse from an IP address assigned to an internet service provider account associated with Manasse’s residence. These files included multiple visual depictions of pre-pubescent children being sexually abused by adults.

The count of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina, with the investigation leading to today’s charges. She also thanked the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office for its assistance with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dong Joo Lee of the Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/somerset-county-man-charged-distribution-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Grand Jury Returns Indictments

MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Wisconsin Rapids Man Charged with Producing Child Pornography

Timothy P. McDowell, 39, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, is charged with 3 counts of producing child pornography. The indictment alleges that McDowell used a cellular phone to produce a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct on April 24, June 20, and September 23, 2021.

If convicted, McDowell faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison on each count. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/grand-jury-returns-indictments-115

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Federal Grand Jury B Indictments Announced- November

Acting United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the November 2021 Federal Grand Jury B.

The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.

Jacob Ancen Bell. Child Abuse in Indian Country; Child Neglect in Indian Country. Bell, 45, currently incarcerated, is alleged to have put a child in a dangerous position by exposing the child to the manufacture of methamphetamine on Nov. 10, 2011. He also failed to protect the child from exposure to the use, possession, sale, and manufacture of illegal drugs, and the maintenance of a drug-involved residence on Nov. 11, 2011. The FBI, Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa Fire Department, and City of Tulsa Fire Investigations are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Valeria Luster is prosecuting the case.

Ashley Nicole Blizzard. Child Abuse in Indian Country; Child Neglect in Indian Country; Child Endangerment in Indian Country. On Feb. 28, 2020, Blizzard, 33, of Claremore, is alleged to have put her 11-year-old child in danger when she struck him with her pick-up in a driveway and ran over his arm. The child was trying to stop her from driving under the influence with a 2-year-old in her vehicle. Blizzard further failed to protect her 2-year-old child from exposure to the use, possession, sale, and manufacture of illegal drugs and other illegal activities and failed to adequately supervise her by placing her on top of a broken meth pipe without a car seat or a seatbelt. Finally, she allegedly endangered her 2-year-old child by driving the car under the influence of an intoxicating substance while her toddler was inside the car. Deputies from the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office located the defendant, stopped her, then took her into custody after finding her license was revoked and locating drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Blizzard is non-Indian; the children are citizens of the Eastern Shawnee Nation. The crime occurred within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation. The FBI and Rogers County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah Paisner is prosecuting the case.

Jacob Dillon Long. Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country. Long, 28, of Glenpool, is charged with sexually abusing a minor between 12 and 16 years of age on March 20, 2017. The FBI and Rogers County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra M. Urban and Chantelle D. Dial are prosecuting the case.

Michael Martavious Pugh. Child abuse in Indian Country. Pugh, 20, of Tulsa, is charged with torturing a 23-month-old Native American victim on Sept. 29, 2021, by punching the child in the chest, causing significant bruising to his body, cardiac arrest and loss of blood to the brain. Assistant U.S. Attorney Valeria Luster is prosecuting the case.

Daelen Tate Space. Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country. Space, 26, of Pryor, is charged with the abusive sexual contact of a minor. The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office and FBI are the investigative agencies. State charges were dismissed based on the McGirt v Oklahoma decision and were refiled in federal court. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cymetra M. Williams is prosecuting the case.

Roy Edward Williams. Coercion and Enticement of a Minor in Indian Country (Count 1, 3, 5, 6, 8); Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country (Counts 2, 4, 9, 10); Abusive Sexual Contact of a Minor Between 12 and 16 Years Old in Indian Country (Count 7); Possession of Child Pornography (Count 11). Williams, 63, a former preacher in Vinita, was charged with sexually abusing five minors whose ages ranged from 7 to 16 years old at the time of the abuse. Williams allegedly paid or offered something of value to several victims immediately following the sexual abuse and threatened several victims to prevent them from telling others. Williams is alleged to have committed the sex crimes starting on or around November 2002 and as late as December 2018. Williams was further found in possession of child pornography on June 24, 2019. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI ask that any other possible victims come forward and contact the FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office at (405) 290-7770. The FBI, Craig County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah Paisner and Edward Snow are prosecuting the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/federal-grand-jury-b-indictments-announced-november-0

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Jury Convicts Stilwell Man for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

TULSA, Okla. – A Stilwell man was convicted Wednesday in federal court for sexually assaulting a minor in 2017 near Vinita during a road trip, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

The jury found David Anthony Romannose, 45, guilty of aggravated sexual abuse by force and threat in Indian Country and sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country.

“David Romannose abused the trust placed in him by a 12-year-old child who, at the time, considered him a friend. Even though it was extremely difficult, the victim bravely testified this week about the abuse she endured from Romannose. She is to be commended for her courage and for stopping this defendant from preying on other children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Also to be commended are the officers and agents of the FBI, Oneida Indian Nation Police Department and the Craig County Sheriff’s Office, who ensured Romannose was held accountable for his crimes. Strong partnerships are critical in these types of cases.”

“Protecting children is a top priority for the FBI, and we are pleased with today’s conviction. I want to thank the FBI special agents and staff as well as our partners who worked on this case to make sure justice was done,” said Alvin M. Winston, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Oklahoma City.

On July 4, 2017, Romannose, a citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, accompanied a group who were traveling through northeastern Oklahoma after attending a festival in Seiling. While traveling, Romannose sexually assaulted the victim in the backseat of the vehicle. The violation occurred in Indian Country on the Will Rogers Turnpike/Interstate Highway I-44 near Vinita, in Craig County. The victim told investigators she remembered the group stopping at a rest stop in Vinita shortly after the abuse occurred. Romannose also abused the minor, an Oneida Indian Nation citizen, after the group arrived home in New York.

During the trial, family members testified that following the road trip, the victim’s behavior changed dramatically, and they initially were unsure why. They stated that she became more withdrawn and started acting out. Unexplained changes in behavior can be indicative of child sexual abuse. The victim eventually disclosed the abuse to a counselor and family member.

Chief U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III will sentence Romannose on June 3, 2022.

The FBI, Oneida Indian Nation Police Department, Craig County Sheriff’s Office, and the Craig County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gina S. Gilmore and Stacey P. Todd are prosecuting the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/jury-convicts-stilwell-man-sexual-abuse-minor

https://rumble.com/vpelhb-breaking-exclusive-archbishop-vigano-appeals-for-a-worldwide-anti-globalist.html

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Yankton Man Charged with Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Yankton, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for two counts of Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography.

Dylan James Steffen, age 29, was indicted on November 9, 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on November 17, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, lifetime of supervised release, and up $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about between January 22, 2021, and January 24, 2021, and again on or about between March 17, 2021, and March 18, 2021, Steffen knowingly received and distributed, and attempted to receive and distribute, any child pornography that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce by any means, including by computer.

The charges are merely accusations and Steffen is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, Yankton Police Department, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.

Steffen was remanded to the custody of the State pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/yankton-man-charged-receipt-and-distribution-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Jacksonville Man Sentenced To More Than 22 Years In Federal Prison For Attempting To Entice A Child To Produce Photos Depicting Sexual Abuse

Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Sean Corey McKenzie (31, Jacksonville) to more than 22 years and 6 months in federal prison for attempted production of child sex abuse images. McKenzie was also ordered to serve a 20-year term of supervised release and to register as a sex offender.

McKenzie had pleaded guilty on May 3, 2021.

According to court documents, based on an ongoing investigation, FBI agents had reason to believe McKenzie had used an online account to upload child pornography to a private chat room in a particular social media application (app). On March 15, 2021, the agents conducted an interview of McKenzie at his residence in Jacksonville, Florida. During the interview, McKenzie admitted to using this social media app and, specifically, to using his account to request minor females take “nude” photos of themselves. McKenzie also admitted that the photos were sexually explicit. McKenzie stated, when he was on the app, he sought out chat rooms with names that suggested minor children would be present. During a search of McKenzie’s cellular phone, FBI agents discovered online conversations McKenzie had with minor children on the same app.

On March 24, 201, FBI agents conducted a second interview with McKenzie, showing him a recording of one of those online conversations with a minor child. In that conversation, which took place from January 4, 2021 to February 22, 2021, McKenzie solicited the child to produce and send him photos of the child engaging in sexually explicit conduct. McKenzie admitted to engaging in the conversation.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/jacksonville-man-sentenced-more-22-years-federal-prison-attempting-entice-child-produce

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

McAllen man sent to prison for attempting to entice minor through social media

McALLEN, Texas – A 27-year-old McAllen resident has been ordered to federal prison after admitting he intended to engage in sexual activity with a minor female, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

David Montelongo pleaded guilty June 24.

Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced him to 120 months in federal prison. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that Montelongo had committed a very serious offense which was not impulsive as it had taken place over some length of time. Judge Crane also referenced how Montelongo knew his conduct was wrong. Montelongo was further ordered to serve five years on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

On Jan. 21, Montelongo began to entice and coerce an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old female on a popular social media application. In their communications, Montelongo discussed the sexual acts he desired to perform on the minor and take her virginity.

Montelongo requested to meet the alleged minor in person at a park in McAllen, at which time he expected to engage in sexual activity with her. Montelongo saw authorities and fled upon arrival. Law enforcement later took him into custody March 10.

He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations - Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigations Task Force conducted the investigation.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/mcallen-man-sent-prison-attempting-entice-minor-through-social-media

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Rhode Island

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 235 Months in Federal Prison on Child Pornography Charges

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Woonsocket man previously convicted in Rhode Island state court on child molestation and child pornography charges, and later found to be in possession of images and videos of child pornography while serving a term of state probation, was sentenced today to more than nineteen years in federal prison on charges of access with intent to view child pornography and possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.

In November 2015, less than two years after being sentenced in state court to a five-year suspended sentence for possessing child pornography, Jason D. Boudreau, 47, was found by law enforcement to be in possession of cell phone on which he had accessed and viewed over 600 images and videos of child pornography. That phone was seized by law enforcement and a month later, he was again found to be in possession of another cell phone with more than 100 images of child pornography.

According to court documents, on November 20, 2015, following a tip that a child pornography video was uploaded to the internet from his home, members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations agents, and Woonsocket Police Detectives executed a court-authorized search of Boudreau’s residence. Several digital media storage devices and a cellular telephone were seized. A forensic examination of the devices revealed that during an approximately two-month period, Boudreau had accessed and viewed 677 images of child pornography on his cell phone. The images depict adult males using infants, toddlers, and other prepubescent girls for sexual acts, and included images of sex acts of children involving bondage. A month later, after a criminal complaint and warrant issued for his arrest, law enforcement located Boudreau in Branford, CT. At the time of his arrest, he was found to be in possession of another cell phone containing more than 100 images of child pornography.

Boudreau was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to 235 months of incarceration in federal prison to be followed by lifetime federal supervised release. Additionally, the court ordered that Boudreau is subject to searches by U.S. Probation and/or members of law enforcement of his residence, automobile, workplace, computer, and other electronic communication or data storage devices or media with or without reasonable suspicion of a violation of the terms of his supervised release.

According to court records, Boudreau was convicted on a charge of simple assault in Rhode Island State court in December 2009, and that case involved his assault on an eleven-year-old child. Boudreau was next convicted in Rhode Island state court in March 2012 on a charge of 2nd degree child molestation. He was sentenced to eight years in prison, two years to serve, 6 years suspended. In January 2014, Boudreau was convicted in Rhode Island state court for possession of child pornography and sentenced to a five-year suspended sentence with probation and ordered to register as a sex offender. Additionally, in November 2013, Boudreau was arrested on a charge of felony risk of injury to a child filed in Connecticut Superior Court in Danielson, CT based on conduct involving a 14-year-old girl.

The case in federal court in Providence was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/pr/registered-sex-offender-sentenced-235-months-federal-prison-child-pornography-charges

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Former Margate Police Officer Sentenced To More Than 18 Years For Attempting To Entice A 14-Year-Old Child To Engage In Sexual Activity And For Soliciting Production Of Child Sex Abuse Images

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Andrew Christian Hammock (48, Boca Raton) to 18 years and 8 months in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and for attempting to produce visual depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Hammock was also ordered to serve a 6-year term of supervised release, to register as a sex offender, and to forfeit the cellphone that he used to commit these offenses. When he committed these offenses, Hammock was serving as a police officer with the City of Margate (Florida) Police Department.

Hammock was found guilty by federal jury on June 25, 2021.

According to court documents, during February and March 2020, Hammock used a social media application to send more than 4,700 private online messages to an individual whom he believed was a 14-year-old girl but was actually an undercover FBI agent. After learning her purported age, Hammock told the “child,” “bet you look amazing in a bikini,” and asked the “child” about her sexual experience. Hammock acknowledged the risk he was taking by talking to the “child,” telling her that he could get in trouble for talking to her because she is under 18 and he is not.

Hammock assured the “child” he was trustworthy and a protector and sent the “child” photos of himself wearing his police uniform. He repeatedly told the “child” he was aroused talking to her and that he wanted to help the “child” have her first orgasm. Hammock also repeatedly requested the “child” to take and send him graphic photos of her genitals.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the City of Margate Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly S. Karase and Ashley Washington.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/former-margate-police-officer-sentenced-more-18-years-attempting-entice-14-year-old

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Nevada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Texas Woman Sentenced To 18 Years In Prison For Child Sex Trafficking

LAS VEGAS – A Texas woman was sentenced yesterday to 18 years in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for her role in a child sex trafficking conspiracy to recruit and exploit a child in multiple states.

“This conviction and sentence demonstrates our office’s and our law enforcement partners’ unwavering commitment to combating sex trafficking and child exploitation,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada. “Through our ongoing collaboration and expanded partnerships, we will keep working to hold accountable in federal court those who use fraud, force, or other illicit means to victimize children.”

“This sentencing is a success in the fight against those who exploit the vulnerable and illustrates our dedication to bring these criminals to justice,” said Aaron C. Rouse, FBI Las Vegas Special Agent in Charge.

After a six-day jury trial in May 2021, Demecia Shontres Washington (42, of Dallas, Texas) was found guilty of one count each of: conspiracy to commit sex trafficking; sex trafficking; conspiracy to transport for prostitution or other criminal sexual activity; transportation for prostitution or other criminal sexual activity; conspiracy to sexually exploit children; sexual exploitation of children; and distribution of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon presided over the trial and sentencing hearing.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from August 2018 to September 2018, Demecia Washington conspired with co-defendant Jimmy David Washington Jr. (36, of Lubbock, Texas) to recruit and coerce a child to engage in commercial sex acts and to produce child pornography. Demecia Washington and Jimmy Washington Jr. transported the child from Texas to New Mexico and Nevada with the intent that she engage in prostitution.

Co-defendant Jimmy Washington Jr. previously pleaded guilty to transportation of a minor for purposes of prostitution. In April 2021, he was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Burton, Bianca Pucci, and Elham Roohani prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/texas-woman-sentenced-18-years-prison-child-sex-trafficking

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Repeat Sex Offender Is Sentenced To 25 Years For Receipt And Attempted Receipt Of Child Pornography

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jonathan Wheeler Johnston, 40, of Norman, Oklahoma, was sentenced today to 25 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography, announced William T. Stetzer, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. As part of his sentence, Johnston was also ordered to register as a sex offender, and to pay $5,900 in restitution and $40,100 in special assessments.

Robert R. Wells, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Charlotte Division, joins Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents, in April 2019, Johnston began communicating with a 15-year-old minor female located in the Western District of North Carolina, whom he met in an online chatroom for teenagers. After chatting with the teenager online, Johnston mailed the minor a cellphone, for the purpose of exchanging sexually explicit images and engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Court records show that the minor’s parent contacted law enforcement after discovering the cellphone and finding texts and other sexually explicit exchanges between the minor and Johnston. A subsequent forensic analysis of the minor’s cellphone by the FBI revealed that Johnston had repeatedly asked the minor for sexually explicit photos and videos, and had sent the minor links to pornographic material, including videos containing bestiality. In addition, over the course of their communications, Johnston sent the minor sexually explicit images of himself and instructed the minor not to disclose to anyone his name or age because he could get in trouble.

Court records show that when the minor informed Johnston that law enforcement were aware of their communications, Johnston attempted to cover his conduct by wiping his devices of evidence concerning his exchanges with the minor.

According to court records, in 2013, while Johnston was serving in the U.S. Army, he was convicted of possession, manufacture and distribution of child pornography. As a result of that conviction, Johnston was sentenced to six years in prison, was dishonorably discharged and was required to register as a sex offender for six years. His parole from that conviction ended in March 2018, just a little over a year before he began communicating with the 15-year-old minor located in the Western District of North Carolina.

Johnston is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Stetzer thanked the FBI, the Huntersville Police Department, and the Norman Police Department in Oklahoma for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark T. Odulio, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/pr/repeat-sex-offender-sentenced-25-years-receipt-and-attempted-receipt-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Eagle Butte Man Charged with Failure to Register

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Brighton Veit, age 22, was indicted on November 9, 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A Moreno on November 16, 2021 and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life on supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

Veit was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in November 2020. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender. It is alleged that between September 14, 2021, and September 27, 2021, Veit, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of conviction under Federal Law, failed to properly register as a sex offender and update his registration.

The charge is merely an accusation and Veit is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem is prosecuting the case.

Veit was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/eagle-butte-man-charged-failure-register-2

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Tennessee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Erwin Man Sentenced For 160 Months For Receipt Of Child Pornography

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On November 18, 2021, Justin Claude Richardson, 29, currently of Erwin, TN was sentenced by the Honorable R. Leon Jordan, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville, to serve 160 months in federal prison. Upon release, Richardson will be supervised by U.S. Probation for 20 years and will be required to register with the state sex offender registry and comply with special sex offender conditions during supervised release.

As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Richardson agreed to plead guilty to receipt of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2252A(a)(2)(A) and (b)(1). Additionally, the defendant was ordered to pay restitution to victims making claims, who were identified through the Child Victim Identification Program database operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

According to court documents, on May 13, 2019, officers stopped Richardson in Unicoi County, Tennessee, upon suspicion of his involvement in a kidnapping. Richardson was placed under arrest and his cellular telephone was seized. Richardson’s cellular telephone contained approximately 2,364 images of child pornography, including images of bestiality, sadomasochistic acts, and infants. The web browser on the cellular phone reflected hundreds of searches for child pornography, with searches occurring shortly before Richardson’s arrest.

The criminal indictment was the result of an investigation by the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. This investigation was led by FBI Special Agent Bianca Pearson.

Assistant United States Attorney J. Gregory Bowman represented the United States.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtn/pr/erwin-man-sentenced-160-months-receipt-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Citrus County Woman Pleads Guilty To Producing Sexually Explicit Photos Of A Child And Distributing Them Over The Internet

Ocala, Florida – Ashley Renea Hilligoss (37, Citrus Springs) has pleaded guilty to producing photos depicting a minor child being sexually abused. She faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a potential life term of supervised release. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Hilligoss had been indicted on June 22, 2021.

According to court documents, Hilligoss took sexually explicit photographs of a minor female and sent them to another individual using the internet. FBI agents later searched an encrypted online file storage account belonging to the receiving individual and recovered copies of these photos. When interviewed by law enforcement, Hilligoss admitted to taking and sending the photographs of the child.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ocala Resident Agency. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/citrus-county-woman-pleads-guilty-producing-sexually-explicit-photos-child-and

Citrus County Woman Pleads Guilty To Producing Sexually Explicit Photos Of A Child And Distributing Them Over The Internet

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/citrus-county-woman-pleads-guilty-producing-sexually-explicit-photos-child-and

Erwin Man Sentenced For 160 Months For Receipt Of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtn/pr/erwin-man-sentenced-160-months-receipt-child-pornography

Eagle Butte Man Charged with Failure to Register

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/eagle-butte-man-charged-failure-register-2

Repeat Sex Offender Is Sentenced To 25 Years For Receipt And Attempted Receipt Of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/pr/repeat-sex-offender-sentenced-25-years-receipt-and-attempted-receipt-child-pornography

Texas Woman Sentenced To 18 Years In Prison For Child Sex Trafficking

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/texas-woman-sentenced-18-years-prison-child-sex-trafficking

Former Margate Police Officer Sentenced To More Than 18 Years For Attempting To Entice A 14-Year-Old Child To Engage In Sexual Activity And For Soliciting Production Of Child Sex Abuse Images

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/former-margate-police-officer-sentenced-more-18-years-attempting-entice-14-year-old

Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 235 Months in Federal Prison on Child Pornography Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/pr/registered-sex-offender-sentenced-235-months-federal-prison-child-pornography-charges

McAllen man sent to prison for attempting to entice minor through social media

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/mcallen-man-sent-prison-attempting-entice-minor-through-social-media

Jacksonville Man Sentenced To More Than 22 Years In Federal Prison For Attempting To Entice A Child To Produce Photos Depicting Sexual Abuse

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/jacksonville-man-sentenced-more-22-years-federal-prison-attempting-entice-child-produce

Yankton Man Charged with Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/yankton-man-charged-receipt-and-distribution-child-pornography

Jury Convicts Stilwell Man for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/jury-convicts-stilwell-man-sexual-abuse-minor

Federal Grand Jury B Indictments Announced- November

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/federal-grand-jury-b-indictments-announced-november-0

Somerset County Man Charged with Distribution of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/somerset-county-man-charged-distribution-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Broken Arrow Man Convicted After Found with 4,000+ Images and Videos of Child Pornography

TULSA, Okla. – A federal jury Wednesday found a Broken Arrow man guilty after his electronic devices were found to have more than 4,000 images and videos depicting the rape and molestation of children, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

Earl Hardy Morrow, 39, was convicted of distribution and receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

“My office and our local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement partners seek to protect children not only from their sexual abuser, but also from their revictimization through the repeated viewing of that abuse in child pornography,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Individuals like Earl Morrow must be held accountable for their role in a vile industry that preys on children across the globe.”

On Feb. 20, 2020, Morrow distributed and received child pornography via electronic means. From Nov. 5, 2019, to Feb. 27, 2020, Morrow further possessed visual depictions involving prepubescent minors and minors who were under 12 years of age.

On Feb. 20, 2020, multiple files of child sexual abuse material were sent to the Tulsa Police Department’s Cyber Crimes Unit via the BitTorrent network from an IP address that was later tracked to a Broken Arrow user. The final torrent file distributed to Tulsa Police contained multiple video files depicting the sexual abuse of children.

Officers served a search warrant on the address where Morrow resided on Feb. 27, 2020. During the search, Morrow told officers that he used BitTorrent on his computer and that he had illegal files on the computer.

During the forensic extraction and review of Morrow’s devices, the following items were found in Morrow’s bedroom and transported to the Tulsa Police Department for forensic extraction and review:

• 32GB Thumb drive connected to a keychain on Morrow’s car keys, found on the desk in his room–3140 pictures and 25 videos of child sexual abuse material found.

• Computer built by the defendant– 546 pictures and 85 videos of child pornography, as well as the qBittorrent program.

• Laptop found on Morrow’s desk- 39 pictures and 79 videos of child pornography.

• 32 GB thumb drive found on Morrow’s desk– 497 pictures and 54 videos of child pornography, includes 1 RTF document, titled “Daddy’s Collection,” where the author is Morrow, and the contents of the document lists child pornography search terms.

• 2 GB thumb drive found on Morrow’s desk– 5 videos of child pornography.

The Tulsa Police Department led the investigation into Morrow with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations.

“The Tulsa Police Department’s Cyber Crimes Unit and Homeland Security Investigations consistently locate, investigate, and arrest child predators. These officers and agents are key partners when holding defendants accountable at trial,” said Johnson.

Visiting U.S. District Judge Daniel D. Crabtree from Kansas presided over the trial. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Nassar, Nathan E. Michel, and Stacey P. Todd are prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part the Northern District of Oklahoma’s Operation Clean Sweep, which charged 33 child predators. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar led the operation in conjunction with more than a dozen local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies. The case is also part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/broken-arrow-man-convicted-after-found-4000-images-and-videos-child-pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/federal-grand-jury-issues-new-indictment-against-leaders-philippines-based-church

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Central District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Federal Grand Jury Issues New Indictment Against Leaders of Philippines-Based Church that Alleges Sex Trafficking Scheme

SANTA ANA, California – A superseding indictment unsealed today charges the founder of a Philippines-based church and two top administrators of orchestrating a sex trafficking operation that coerced girls and young women to have sex with the church’s leader under threats of “eternal damnation.”

The superseding indictment expands on allegations made early last year against three Los Angeles-based administrators of the church, which is known as the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KOJC). The nine defendants named in the 42-count superseding indictment are charged with participating in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity – the Glendale-based Children’s Joy Foundation (CJF) – donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders. Members who proved successful at soliciting for the KOJC allegedly were forced to enter into sham marriages or obtain fraudulent student visas to continue soliciting in the United States year-round.

The superseding indictment, which was returned by a federal grand jury on November 10, expands the scope of the 2020 indictment by adding six new defendants, including the KOJC’s leader, Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, who was referred to as “The Appointed Son of God.”

Three of the new defendants were arrested today by federal authorities. The remaining three, including Quiboloy, are believed to be in the Philippines.

The defendants charged in the superseding indictment are:

Quiboloy, believed to be 71, whose primary residence is a KOJC compound in Davao City, Philippines, but who also maintained large residences in Calabasas, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Kapolei, Hawaii;

Teresita Tolibas Dandan, also known as “Tessie” and “Sis Ting,” 59, of Davao City, the “international administrator” who was one of the top overseers of KOJC and CJF operations in the United States;

Helen Panilag, 56, of Davao City, the one-time top KOJC administrator in the U.S., who oversaw the collection of financial data from KOJC operations around the globe;

Felina Salinas, also known as “Sis Eng Eng,” 50, of Kapolei, Hawaii, who allegedly was responsible for collecting and securing passports and other documents from KOJC workers in Hawaii, as well as directing funds solicited to church members to church officials in the Philippines (arrested today);

Guia Cabactulan, 61, the lead KOJC administrator in the United States who operated the KOJC compound in Van Nuys (charged in original indictment);

Marissa Duenas, 43, a Van Nuys-based administrator who handled fraudulent immigration documents for workers (charged in original indictment);

Amanda Estopare, 50, another Van Nuys-based administrator who was in charge of tracking and reporting the money raised in the U.S. to KOJC officials in the Philippines (charged in original indictment);

Bettina Padilla Roces, also known as “Kuki,” 48, a fourth administrator who allegedly handled financial matters (arrested today in Reseda); and

Maria De Leon, 72, a resident of the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles, the owner of Liberty Legal Document Services, who allegedly processed fraudulent marriages and immigration-related documents for KOJC workers (arrested today at her residence).

The three arrested today are expected to make their initial appearances this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles and Honolulu.

The superseding indictment charges Quiboloy, Dandan and Salinas with participating in a conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, as well as the sex trafficking of children. These three defendants allegedly recruited females ranging from approximately 12 to 25 years of age to work as personal assistants, or “pastorals,” for Quiboloy. The indictment states that the victims prepared Quiboloy’s meals, cleaned his residences, gave him massages and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what the pastorals called “night duty.” The indictment specifically mentions five female victims, three of whom were minors when the alleged sex trafficking began.

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“Defendant Quiboloy and other KOJC administrators coerced pastorals into performing ‘night duty’ – that is, sex – with defendant Quiboloy under the threat of physical and verbal abuse and eternal damnation by defendant Quiboloy and other KOJC administrators,” the indictment alleges. “Defendant Quiboloy and other KOJC administrators told pastorals that performing ‘night duty’ was ‘God’s will’ and a privilege, as well as a necessary demonstration of the pastoral’s commitment to give her body to defendant Quiboloy as ‘The Appointed Son of God.’”

The indictment alleges the sex trafficking scheme started no later than 2002 and continued to at least 2018, during which time Quiboloy and his top administrators caused the victims to engage in commercial sex acts by ordering female victims, including the minor victims, to have sex with defendant Quiboloy on a schedule determined by the church leader and others, including Dandan. The victims who were obedient were rewarded with “good food, luxurious hotel rooms, trips to tourist spots, and yearly cash payments that were based on performance” – which were paid for with money solicited by KOJC workers in the United States, according to the indictment.

As part of the alleged scheme, the three defendants told female victims who expressed hesitation at night duty “that they had the devil in them and risked eternal damnation.” Furthermore, Quiboloy would threaten and physically abuse victims who attempted to leave KOJC or were not available to perform night duty, according to the indictment, which also alleges Quiboloy would physically abuse victims for communicating with other men or engaging in other behavior that upset him because he considered such conduct adultery and a sin.

Victims who managed to escape KOJC suffered retaliation in the form of threats, harassment and allegations of criminal misconduct, according to the indictment. “Defendant Quiboloy would give sermons, broadcasted to KOJC members around the world, in which he would allege that victims who escaped had engaged in criminal conduct and sexually promiscuous activity, and therefore faced eternal damnation, in order to discourage other victims from leaving, retaliate against and discredit the victims, and conceal the sexual activity between defendant Quiboloy and the victims,” the indictment states.

Quiboloy, Dandan and Salinas are charged in count one of the superseding indictment, which alleges the sex trafficking conspiracy. Each defendant is charged in at least three of five substantive counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion.

The superseding indictment also outlines KOJC’s nationwide soliciting operations, which allegedly gave rise to additional criminal conduct, including forced labor, labor trafficking, document servitude, marriage fraud and money laundering.

Under Quiboloy’s direction, KOJC administrators allegedly brought workers from the Philippines to the United States and confiscated all forms of identification before forcing the workers to spend long hours illegally soliciting money for KOJC outside of businesses across the United States. While KOJC workers told potential donors their money would be used by CJF to help impoverished children, the money was actually used to directly finance KOJC operations and the lavish lifestyle of KOJC leaders, including Quiboloy, according to the indictment.

“KOJC administrators maintained the legal immigration status of workers who proved capable of meeting daily cash solicitation quotas by fraudulently obtaining student visas for such workers or by forcing them to enter into sham marriages with other KOJC workers who had already obtained United States citizenship,” the indictment states.

Some of the workers were moved around the United States to solicit donations as CJF “volunteers,” who were also called Full Time Miracle Workers, according to the indictment, which alleges these “workers fundraised for KOJC nearly every day, year-round, working very long hours, and often sleeping in cars overnight.”

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The sex trafficking conspiracy charge alleged in the indictment carries a statutory maximum penalty of life in federal prison. The five substantive sex trafficking charges each carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in federal prison and a potential sentence of life. The additional fraud, cash smuggling and money laundering offenses in the indictment carry statutory maximum penalties ranging from five to 20 years in federal prison.

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Central District of Illinois

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Former Peoria County Resident Sentenced to 7 ½ Years in Prison for Child Pornography Offense

Peoria, Ill. –Benjamin J. Wilson, 42, previously of Peoria, Ill, was sentenced on November 18, 2021, to 90 months’ imprisonment for possession of child pornography.

At Wilson’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Court Judge James E. Shadid noted the significant and long-lasting impact to the child victims depicted in the videos Wilson possessed.

In September 2021, Wilson pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, with the offense alleged to have occurred in November 2019. Wilson was detained following arraignment on the indictment and was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals where he has remained since.

The statutory penalty for possession of child pornography is up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Following Wilson’s release from the Bureau of Prisons, he will be on federal supervised release for ten years and will be required to register as a sex offender.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service Central Illinois Cyber Crime Unit with assistance from the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U. S. Attorneys Paul Morris and Katherine G. Legge represented the government in the prosecution.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/former-peoria-county-resident-sentenced-7-years-prison-child-pornography-offense

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Au Gres Resident Sentenced to 28 Years in Federal Prison on Production of Child Pornography Charges

BAY CITY – An Au Gres resident was sentenced yesterday to 28 years in federal prison on charges of using a minor to produce visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct and ordered to pay $54,500 in restitution to the victims and $5,100 in special assessment, announced Acting United States Attorney Saima Mohsin.

Mohsin was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Timothy Waters, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division.

Sentenced was Christopher Paul Botimer, 59.

Botimer pleaded guilty in December 2020 to one count of using a minor to produce visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct before United States District Judge Thomas Ludington.

On or about October 6, 2017, while in Arenac County, Michigan, Botimer, a computer network engineer, took sexually explicit photographs of a 2-year-old child in his care. In making some of those photographs, Botimer engaged in sexual contact with the victim. He saved the resulting sexually explicit images on several electronic devices. For several years, well before he began to take sexually explicitly photographs of the victim, Botimer searched for child pornography over the Internet. He repeatedly downloaded sexually explicit images of minor children for his sexual gratification. He then either saved or deleted the child pornography from one of the many digital devices available to him at his home. He also made available some of the images to others through a peer-to-peer network.

“Botimer is a child predator and his conduct was reprehensible. Today’s lengthy sentence ensures Botimer will no longer be a threat to young children,” said Acting US Attorney Mohsin. “I commend the agents and prosecutors who worked on this case and hope that this 28-year sentence helps bring some closure to the victim and victim’s family.”

This case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Task Force and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anca Pop and Jaqueline Hotz.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/pr/au-gres-resident-sentenced-28-years-federal-prison-production-child-pornography-charges

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Two Local Men Plead Guilty To Federal Child Pornography Production Indictments

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Michael J. McClure, 44, of DeFuniak Springs, and Jeffrey W. Boone, Jr., 32, of Shalimar, pled guilty this past week to federal charges related to the production and distribution of child pornography, announced Jason R. Coody, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Though the two cases are similar in nature, the federal indictments were independently handed down by a grand jury in Pensacola earlier this year.

In McClure’s case, an undercover agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation witnessed McClure distributing images of child pornography online to a group of like-minded individuals on the social media platform Kik Messenger. McClure was personally producing child pornography of a minor who was less than ten years old. During his guilty plea, McClure admitted to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise with others on Kik Messenger who were working together to victimize multiple minors across the country. McClure was engaged in such activity during 2020 to 2021.

“There is no greater charge than the protection of our children,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Coody. “Acts of such depravity are horrific and will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted. Our law enforcement partners are to be commended for the swift, collaborative efforts, which resulted in the rescue of these children.”

In Boone’s case, another undercover agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation witnessed Boone distributing images of child pornography that he was creating in real time and distributing to others online. His victim was also less than ten years of age. Law enforcement was able to immediately identify Boone and execute a search warrant on his residence to stop the illegal activity. Boone was also using Kik Messenger to engage in such crimes during 2021.

"These cases represent the FBI's relentless pursuit of those who seek to exploit the most innocent members of our community," said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. "Together with our law enforcement partners, we will never waver in our efforts to protect our children from harm."

Both McClure and Boone are scheduled to be sentenced in January 2022. McClure faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years’ up to life imprisonment, and Boone faces a mandatory minimum 15 years’ up to 30 years’ imprisonment.

These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg, Jennifer H. Callahan, and Amanda Gordon.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/two-local-men-plead-guilty-federal-child-pornography-production-indictments

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

New Jersey Resident Pleaded Guilty to Interstate Travel with Intent to Engage In a Sexual Act with A Minor Charges

BAY CITY – A Manalapan, New Jersey resident pleaded guilty yesterday to interstate travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, announced Acting United States Attorney Saima Mohsin.

Mohsin was joined in the announcement by James C. Harris, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations field offices in Michigan and Ohio.

Jose Ricardo Gomez, 39, of New Jersey, pleaded guilty on November 17, 2021, to one count of interstate travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor before United States Magistrate Judge Patricia Morris. Gomez will be sentenced in February 2022.

According to court documents, in or about July and August, 2020, Gomez used his phone and the internet to knowingly persuade, induce, entice and coerce a 13-year-old minor and a 14-year-old minor to engage in sexual activity for which he could be charged with criminal sexual conduct in the third degree under Michigan state law. Gomez communicated with the minors via Snapchat and traveled to Michigan from New Jersey. He met them at a hotel in Houghton Lake, Michigan, where he sexually abused the two minors on several occasions during that time. He provided alcohol to the victims before the abuse. Gomez also recorded numerous videos with his iPhone of the 13-year-old minor in various states of undress engaging in sexual acts. For the purpose of persuading the victim to engage in the sexual acts and for the purpose of producing the sexually explicit material, Gomez misrepresented his name, age, and residence. Gomez saved these visual depictions to his Snapchat account’s memories folder. Moreover, between May and August, 2020, Gomez, using Snapchat, distributed multiple videos and photographs depicting minor girls lasciviously exposing their genitalia to other Snapchat users. Gomez also solicited and received from minor girls sexually explicit images of themselves or images lasciviously depicting their genitalia, and distributed some of these images back to the minor girls depicted in those images for the purpose of coercing them to continue to produce and send such images of themselves to Gomez. Gomez threatened to post those images in public forums and to expose them to friends, relatives or classmates of the victims. The day after his arrest, Gomez, using the jail telephone system, directed another unknown individual to destroy and conceal evidence material to this investigation stored in Gomez’s online accounts. Soon thereafter, an unknown individual deleted the images stored in Gomez’s iCloud account.

This case was investigated by agents of the Homeland Security Investigations and Roscommon County Sheriff’s Department and is prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anca Pop.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/pr/new-jersey-resident-pleaded-guilty-interstate-travel-intent-engage-sexual-act-minor

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Louisiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Former Air Force Member Sentenced on Child Pornography Charges

SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Adam Richard Henderson, 35, of Bossier City, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 60 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on child pornography charges.

In September and October 2020, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations received cypertip reports from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children that a Yahoo user was in possession of numerous images of child pornography. Law enforcement agents began an investigation and discovered that the email accounts belonged to Henderson. He was charged and pleaded guilty on July 16, 2021 to transportation of child pornography.

At the guilty plea hearing, Henderson admitted that on March 14, 2020, while living in Bossier City, Louisiana, he emailed images of child pornography from two Yahoo email accounts belonging to him. The images were of prepubescent minors whose genital and pubic areas were lasciviously exhibited. Henderson admitted to sending the images at his guilty plea hearing on July 16, 2021.

The U.S. Air Force, Office of Special Investigations, and Louisiana Bureau of Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla/pr/former-air-force-member-sentenced-child-pornography-charges

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Missouri

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Rogersville Man Indicted for Sexual Exploitation of Three Children

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Rogersville, Missouri, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for the sexual exploitation of three child victims.

Jake Ethan Patterson, 26, was charged in a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday, November 17. The federal indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Patterson on November 2, 2021. Patterson has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on the complaint.

The indictment charges Patterson with three counts of the sexual exploitation of a child, each involving a separate child victim. Patterson allegedly used each of the child victims to produce child pornography. Patterson is also charged with one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the investigation began in June 2021 when Canadian law enforcement authorities seized two cell phones belonging to a citizen of Canada. Investigators found Snapchat conversations with Patterson, who was sharing images and videos of child pornography. There were multiple pornographic images and videos of the three child victims, the affidavit says, two of whom were approximately three to five years old and one of whom was approximately 12 years old.

During the Canadian investigation, Snapchat submitted a Cyber Tip on July 4, 2021, alleging that Patterson had uploaded a child pornography file the previous day. A review of the file found that this image was a commonly traded child pornography video often found in child pornography collections and does not depict the three victims in this case.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the FBI, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/rogersville-man-indicted-sexual-exploitation-three-children

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Georgia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Federal jury convicts Columbia County man in “horrific” child sex trafficking case

Defendant faces up to life in prison

AUGUSTA, GA: A Columbia County man faces up to life in federal prison after a jury convicted him on nine felony counts related to child sex trafficking.

In a verdict returned just after 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, a U.S. District Court jury found Michael Peyton Gunn, 36, of Evans, Ga., guilty of all nine charges following a four-day trial, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Gunn faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, and three of the charges in the case carry a statutory penalty of up to life in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

“The child exploitation offenses Gunn committed are absolutely horrific, going far beyond the initial, reprehensible child pornography offenses that alerted the FBI to his activities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “The jurors are holding Michael Gunn accountable for his monstrous crimes, and providing a path to healing for his victim.”

After the trial before U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall, the jury found Gunn guilty of Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking of a Minor; Sex Trafficking of a Child; Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity; four counts of Production of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography; and Obstruction of a Sex-Trafficking Investigation. Gunn will be sentenced after a background investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

“Michael Gunn committed unspeakable crimes against a vulnerable child and no sentence for him will wipe away the trauma he has caused the victim,” said Chris Macrae, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “However, thanks to the dedicated work from our agents who aggressively pursue these heinous criminals, Gunn will be removed from our streets where he will no longer be able to harm innocent children.”

The minor victim in the case testified in court that Gunn, through rewards, fear, threats of harm, and intimidation, manipulated the victim to participate in illegal sexual abuse as young as age 7, through sexual exploitation at age 13, as it steadily progressed from production of child pornography to participation in commercial sex trafficking.

As spelled out in evidence and testimony presented during the trial, the investigation led to Gunn in February 2020 when FBI agents were called to assist in a child pornography case in Hopkins County, Texas. Agents discovered more than 700 images – many of them explicit child pornography – depicting a specific minor victim, with digital location information identifying the area of Gunn’s residence in Evans. Agents from the Augusta FBI office later questioned Gunn and searched his home, leading to his indictment in March 2020 on multiple charges of production and possession of child pornography.

The continuing investigation led to a superseding indictment in March 2021 naming Gunn’s then wife, Amanda Gunn, a/k/a “Amanda Howard,” 34, of Augusta, on charges of Sex Trafficking Conspiracy and Obstruction of a Child Sex Trafficking Investigation, and adding multiple child sex trafficking-related charges to Michael Gunn. Amanda Gunn later pled guilty to Sex Trafficking Conspiracy and awaits sentencing. The minor victim testified during Michael Gunn’s trial that he coordinated several years of abuse of the victim in the case, deriving profit from images of the victim and from making the victim available for sexual exploitation by other men.

Also testifying in court was Jonathan Eugene Grantham, 45, of Graniteville, S.C., who awaits sentencing after pleading guilty in August to Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity. Grantham admitted responding to an online advertisement trafficking the minor victim, then traveling from South Carolina to Evans to transport the victim to a motel for a sexual act in return for payment. Grantham is a former high school teacher.

The investigation into related crimes in the case continues.

Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Tara M. Lyons prosecuted the case for the United States with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Tracy Long, Investigative Analyst Karen Hartley, and Contract Legal Assistant Ana Pridemore.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdga/pr/federal-jury-convicts-columbia-county-man-horrific-child-sex-trafficking-case

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Washington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Wenatchee, Washington Man Sentenced to Over 17 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child Pornography

Wenatchee, Washington Man Sentenced to Over 17 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child Pornography Spokane – Today, Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Jose A. Mendoza, age 32, of Wenatchee, Washington, was sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of production of child pornography on June 30, 2021. Senior United States District Judge Rosanna M. Peterson sentenced Mendoza to a 210-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.

According to court documents, the Wenatchee Police Department executed a warrant to search Mendoza’s residence and seized numerous electronic devices that contained images of child pornography. Upon further review, Mendoza was found to have produced images of himself engaged in sexually exploitative conduct with female children.

United States Attorney Waldref said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, in collaboration with its federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners, uses every resource and tool available to investigate and prosecute aggressively those involved in child exploitation. This Office will continue to do all we can to protect vulnerable child victims of these horrible crimes.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Wenatchee Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Michael J. Ellis, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwa/pr/wenatchee-washington-man-sentenced-over-17-years-federal-prison-production-child

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Madison County Man Sentenced for Sex Offender Registration Violation

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Gregory Malecki, age 49, of Bridgeport, New York, was sentenced yesterday to time served (6 months) and 25 years of supervised release for failing to register an email address with the New York State Sex Offender Registry, as required by law.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and David L. McNulty, United States Marshal for the Northern District of New York.

As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Malecki admitted that in 2009 he was convicted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York of Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor, for which he served a sentence of 10 years in federal prison. That conviction requires Malecki to register as a sex offender and to keep his registration current with personal identifying information, including internet and email accounts. Malecki admitted that although he maintained registration as a sex offender in the State of New York, for nearly two years he intentionally failed to register an email account that he created despite knowing he has a continuing obligation under the law to do so.

In addition to the term of imprisonment for failing to update his sex offender registration, Malecki was sentenced to a concurrent term of time served (202 days) for violating the conditions of his supervised release, including committing new criminal conduct, possessing sexually explicit images, failing to truthfully provide required information on his monthly probation reports, and possessing an undisclosed internet capable device.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service Sex Offender Investigation Branch with assistance from the United States Probation Office for the Northern District of New York and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa M. Fletcher.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/madison-county-man-sentenced-sex-offender-registration-violation

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Washington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Walla Walla Woman Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison After Fourth Child Pornography Offense

Spokane – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Monica Linker, age 32, of Walla Walla, Washington, was sentenced on October 21, 2021, after pleading guilty to Receipt of Child Pornography. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Linker to 5 years in federal custody, to be followed by a 10- year term of court supervision after she is released. Chief Judge Bastian calculated Linker’s sentencing range under the United States Sentencing Guidelines at more than 12 years – in part because this was Linker’s fourth child pornography offense – but exercised his discretion to depart downward to 5 years. Linker’s sentence is 8 years shorter than the 13-year sentence the United States recommended.

According to court documents, an FBI Special Agent went online in an undercover role to locate people in the community who were trading child pornography. The agent downloaded more than 80 videos of child pornography from Linker’s residence in Walla Walla, which led to a search warrant and the removal of all digital devices from her home. A forensic review confirmed significant child pornography evidence on her devices. Then, approximately ten months later, FBI executed a second search warrant at Linker’s new residence, recovering new images of child pornography from Linker’s new digital devices. In all, FBI recovered a significant amount of child pornography, as well as other indicia of Linker’s sexual interest in children and technical sophistication. This evidence included peer-to-peer, cleaning, encryption, and hacking software, and a Japanese Anime child pornography comic book. FBI also found evidence that Linker had burned images of child pornography onto disks. By the time FBI located Linker online, she had sustained three child pornography offenses under Washington law. In fact, she was on supervision with the Washington Department of Corrections when FBI downloaded child pornography from her. During prior probation searches of Linker’s residences, officers recovered 25 pairs of girls’ panties, anime books and videos, anime pornography, and a book on child gynecology.

United States Attorney Waldref condemned the exploitation of children:

“The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington works closely with our local and federal partners to apprehend the most serious child exploitation offenders in our community. I commend the Walla Walla Police Department and the FBI, whose excellent investigation in this case has protected children by keeping a recidivist offender off the streets for years. Sadly, there is an entire community of people who use the Internet to collect and trade crime-scene photos of children’s abuse for their own sexual gratification. Those images often travel around the Internet forever, ensuring that child pornography victims are never truly free. To those who use peer-to-peer networks to exploit children while seeking to evade detection by law enforcement, today’s sentence puts you on notice: undercover FBI agents are online at all hours of the day and night looking for child pornography offenders. We will continue to prosecute child exploitation as vigorously as the law allows. I encourage anyone who sees or suspects any form of child abuse to contact law enforcement immediately.”

Donald Voiret, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle Division, which encompasses the Spokane, Walla Walla, and Yakima areas, said “Ms. Linker is a repeat offender who has obviously not learned her lesson from her past convictions. Her compulsion to engage in this activity, even after being aware of law enforcement scrutiny, indicates the importance of keeping her away from the children in our communities.”

Detective (Ret.) Tim Hollingsworth led the investigation by the Walla Walla Police Department and Special Agent (Ret.) Lee McEuen led the investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. David M. Herzog, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwa/pr/walla-walla-woman-sentenced-five-years-federal-prison-after-fourth-child-pornography

>>15028661

Broken Arrow Man Convicted After Found with 4,000+ Images and Videos of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/broken-arrow-man-convicted-after-found-4000-images-and-videos-child-pornography

Federal Grand Jury Issues New Indictment Against Leaders of Philippines-Based Church that Alleges Sex Trafficking Scheme

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/federal-grand-jury-issues-new-indictment-against-leaders-philippines-based-church

Former Peoria County Resident Sentenced to 7 ½ Years in Prison for Child Pornography Offense

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/former-peoria-county-resident-sentenced-7-years-prison-child-pornography-offense

Au Gres Resident Sentenced to 28 Years in Federal Prison on Production of Child Pornography Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/pr/au-gres-resident-sentenced-28-years-federal-prison-production-child-pornography-charges

Two Local Men Plead Guilty To Federal Child Pornography Production Indictments

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/two-local-men-plead-guilty-federal-child-pornography-production-indictments

New Jersey Resident Pleaded Guilty to Interstate Travel with Intent to Engage In a Sexual Act with A Minor Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/pr/new-jersey-resident-pleaded-guilty-interstate-travel-intent-engage-sexual-act-minor

Former Air Force Member Sentenced on Child Pornography Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla/pr/former-air-force-member-sentenced-child-pornography-charges

Rogersville Man Indicted for Sexual Exploitation of Three Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/rogersville-man-indicted-sexual-exploitation-three-children

Federal jury convicts Columbia County man in “horrific” child sex trafficking case

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdga/pr/federal-jury-convicts-columbia-county-man-horrific-child-sex-trafficking-case

Wenatchee, Washington Man Sentenced to Over 17 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwa/pr/wenatchee-washington-man-sentenced-over-17-years-federal-prison-production-child

Madison County Man Sentenced for Sex Offender Registration Violation

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/madison-county-man-sentenced-sex-offender-registration-violation

Walla Walla Woman Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison After Fourth Child Pornography Offense

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwa/pr/walla-walla-woman-sentenced-five-years-federal-prison-after-fourth-child-pornography

CASE UPDATE: JUDGE MICHAEL SCHECHTERLY PLEADS GUILTY TO INAPPROPRIATE CONTACT WITH MINORS

NOVEMBER 18, 2021 | TOPIC: CRIMINAL

Schechterly also Pleaded Guilty to Using Authority as Judge to Obstruct an Investigation of Sexual Misconduct by a State Constable

HARRISBURG—Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced that a Perry County Magisterial District Judge has pleaded guilty to inappropriate contact with minors, intimidating a witness and obstructing an investigation of sexual misconduct by a state constable.

“With this plea, the defendant is taking responsibility for his crimes and will be held accountable. This case serves as a reminder that no one, no matter their position of power, is above the law,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “My office will continue to investigate and prosecute anyone who abuses their authority to harm Pennsylvanians.”

Michael Schechterly, 58, of Newport in Perry County, was charged in November 2020 following an investigation into Schecterly’s misconduct towards children by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) in cooperation with the Office of Attorney General. The investigation revealed that Schechterly repeatedly engaged in inappropriate contact with minors at his residence.

During the course of the investigation, PSP also identified two women who made allegations against a state constable working out of Schechterly’s district court office between 2013 and 2020. Investigators learned that in February 2013, Schechterly became aware of complaints against the constable. Schechterly used his official power to summon the first victim and the constable to his office concerning a case over which he had jurisdiction.

As a Perry County Magisterial District Judge, he maintained jurisdiction over her case until 2015, which denied the victim the opportunity to come forward, and hindered her reporting of the incident for nearly six years.

Schechterly pleaded guilty to Corruption of Minors, Intimidation of a Witness or Victim, Official Oppression, and Obstruction of Justice before the Honorable Judge Jessica Brewbaker of Cumberland County. He will resign as judge at the time of sentencing. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Daniel Dye.

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/updates/case-update-judge-michael-schechterly-pleads-guilty-to-inappropriate-contact-with-minors/

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 19, 2021

Guatemalan National Convicted After Nine-Day Federal Trial for Sex Trafficking of a Minor and Related Charges

Defendant Caused More Than Eight Individuals, Including Minors, to Engage in Commercial Sex Acts for His Own Financial Benefit by Means of Force, Fraud, and Coercion

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury convicted Feliciano de Jesus Diaz-Martinez, a/k/a Alex, age 43, of Owings Mills, Maryland, yesterday for sex trafficking of a child, enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution, sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and distribution of a controlled substance. Diaz-Martinez has been in custody since his indictment on July 25, 2019.

The guilty verdict was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.

According to the evidence presented at his nine-day trial, from at least 2016 through May 2019, Diaz-Martinez, a Guatemalan national in the United States illegally, caused more than eight individuals, including minors, to engage in commercial sex acts for his own financial benefit by means of force, fraud, and coercion. Trial testimony confirmed that Diaz-Martinez knew that Victim 1 was 16 years old when he first caused her to engage in commercial sex acts. Victim 1 continued to work for Diaz-Martinez until she was approximately 18 years old. The evidence proved that nearly all of the victims that Diaz-Martinez caused to engage in commercial sex acts suffered from serious substance abuse disorders, including addictions to heroin, crack cocaine, and Xanax. Diaz-Martinez took half or all of the money earned by the victims working for him, and sold some of the victims narcotics, often at prices significantly higher than he paid to purchase the drugs.

As detailed in trial testimony, Diaz-Martinez maintained a network of friends and associates who paid to engage in commercial sex acts with the victims Diaz-Martinez advertised and made available to them. Diaz-Martinez sent his customers pictures of the victims available for commercial sex and set the prices that customers would pay to engage in sex acts with the victims he controlled. Diaz-Martinez then transported, or caused to be transported, victims to his customers’ homes, or to hotel rooms he rented, to engage in commercial sex acts. The evidence showed that Diaz-Martinez also invited customers to engage in commercial sex acts with victims in his apartment and in a storage unit that he rented.

Witnesses testified that Diaz-Martinez maintained several different accounts in alias names on a social media platform, which he used to recruit and communicate with the victims in order to entice them to work for him and engage in commercial sex acts, including many users he had never met. The jury found that Diaz-Martinez sometimes offered the users he communicated with heroin and crack cocaine, referred to as “boy” and “girl,” in exchange for engaging in commercial sex with his customers. Diaz-Martinez also directed the victims working for him to recruit their friends, many of whom were also addicted to narcotics, to engage in commercial sex for his financial benefit.

Several victims testified that Diaz-Martinez frequently demanded that they engage in sex acts with him, free of charge, and that he retaliated against the victims if he was not personally satisfied with the sexual encounter. Diaz-Martinez also retaliated against victims who violated his rules, failed to earn sufficient money from commercial sex, or otherwise displeased him in a number of ways, including, abandoning them at customers’ homes and on roadsides without their belongings or transportation and withholding drugs from the victims whom he knew to be addicted.

Diaz-Martinez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison for sex trafficking of a minor and for enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution; a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison for each of four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; and a maximum of 20 years in prison for distribution of controlled substances. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for February 11, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.

This case was investigated by the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, Report suspected instances of human trafficking to HSI's tip line at 866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/guatemalan-national-convicted-after-nine-day-federal-trial-sex-trafficking-minor-and

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Idaho

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 19, 2021

Weiser Man Sentenced to Over 5 Years for Possessing Child Pornography

BOISE – A Weiser man was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography.

According to court records, in March of 2020, the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force began investigating two CyberTips from Yahoo. A CyberTip is a report submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC gathers leads and tips regarding suspected online crimes against children and forwards them to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. According to the CyberTips, between February 13, 2018, and March 11, 2020, child pornography was uploaded to a Yahoo account that was later identified as belonging to Stuart Bardan, 37, of Weiser.

ICAC obtained a search warrant for the contents of the Yahoo account and located several images of child pornography, including files depicting prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts. ICAC also located evidence that Bardan had used his email account to distribute files of child pornography to other individuals. On July 9, 2020, ICAC executed a federal search warrant at Bardan’s residence in Weiser to search for evidence of the possession of child pornography. ICAC seized Bardan’s cellphone and located numerous files of child pornography on the cellphone. Bardan admitted to using his email account to distribute child pornography and to searching for child pornography on the internet.

Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Bardan to serve ten years of supervised release following his prison sentence and ordered Bardan to forfeit the cellphone that was used to commit the offense. As a result of the conviction, Bardan will be required to register as a sex offender.

Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Idaho ICAC Task Force, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Washington County Sheriff’s Office, which led to charges.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-id/pr/weiser-man-sentenced-over-5-years-possessing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 19, 2021

Easton Man Facing Federal Indictment for Possession and Receipt of Child Pornography

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Tyler Dean Fowler, age 29, of Easton, Maryland, with receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. The indictment was returned on November 10, 2021. Fowler was arrested for these charges on November 18, 2021 in North Carolina.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police and Chief David A. Spencer of the Easton Police Department.

According to the four-count indictment, in October 2019 Fowler knowingly received several images of minors engaged in sexually explicit activity including an image of a minor male’s genitalia.

The indictment also alleges that Fowler’s cell phone and laptop contained one or more visual depictions of prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

If convicted, Fowler faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years for receipt of child pornography; and a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. At today’s initial appearance in U.S. District Court in in the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler ordered that Fowler be detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the Maryland State Police Department, the Easton Police Department, and the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office of North Carolina for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Abigail E. Ticse and Paul E. Budlow, who are prosecuting the federal case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/easton-man-facing-federal-indictment-possession-and-receipt-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Indiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 19, 2021

Convicted Child Molester and Pedophile Sentenced to 15 Years of Imprisonment

For Transporting Obscene Materials

HAMMOND- Michael Christianson, 52, of LaPorte, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon upon his plea of guilty to three counts of transporting obscene materials, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Christianson was sentenced to 180 months (15 years) in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, between on or about June 22, 2019, and July 2, 2019, Christianson used a computer to submit three books that contained obscene content to a publisher in North Carolina. Specifically, the books Christianson had authored, contained photos of children’s genitals and children engaged in sexual activity.

Christianson authored the books while being a registered sex offender. He was previously convicted of child molestation in LaPorte County, Indiana in 2003, for sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy. In his pro se filings with this Court, Defendant proclaimed himself to be a “virtuous pedosexual”.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Kelley and former Northern District of Indiana Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Koster.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndin/pr/convicted-child-molester-and-pedophile-sentenced-15-years-imprisonment

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Nebraska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 19, 2021

Omaha Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Sex Traffic a Minor

Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Thomas Holbert, 32, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for Conspiracy to Sex Traffic a Minor. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Holbert to 235 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Holbert will serve 5 years of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.

Federal agents began investigating in September 2020, after two Omaha foster children went missing from their foster home. The investigation showed that Holbert picked up the victims, aged 16 and 17, and brought them to a hotel where Holbert posted online advertisements promoting the minors for commercial sex acts. Both victims then engaged in sex acts for money with Holbert and others receiving financial proceeds from those acts.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Omaha Police Department, and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/omaha-man-sentenced-conspiracy-sex-traffic-minor

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 19, 2021

Dalton Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Children

BOSTON – A Dalton man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield for sexual exploitation offenses.

James LaFrance, 65, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 16 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release. On July 9, 2021, LaFrance pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual exploitation of children.

On two separate occasions in 2018 and 2019, LaFrance encouraged a 16-year-old girl from Massachusetts, whom he had befriended on the internet, to engage in sexually explicit conduct during video chat sessions. LaFrance recorded the girl’s actions on his computer and provided specific directions as to what she was to do on camera. LaFrance engaged in virtually identical behavior toward a 16-year-old girl from Pennsylvania on two occasions in July 2019.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Dalton Police Chief Deanna Strout; Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King; and Newbury Police Chief John R. Lucey, Jr. made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/dalton-man-sentenced-16-years-prison-sexual-exploitation-children

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 19, 2021

Former Football Coach Facing Federal Charges for Production of Child Pornography Involving Two Minor Victims

Defendant Coached A High School Football Team in Charles County and a Youth Football Team in Prince George’s County; Law Enforcement Believes There May be More Victims

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Moshe Michael Imel, age 51, of Owings, Maryland, with five counts of production of child pornography involving two minor victims. The indictment was returned yesterday. Imel will have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt at a later date. Imel remains detained on separate State charges.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans; and Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey.

According to the five-count indictment, during two months in 2018, Imel persuaded, enticed and coerced Victim A to engage in sexually explicit conduct in order to produce images documenting the sexually explicit conduct. Similarly, the indictment alleges that on three occasions during one month in 2020, Imel enticed and coerced Victim B to engage in sexually explicit conduct in order to produce images documenting the sexually explicit conduct of Victim B.

Law enforcement believes there may be other victims. Please report suspected sexual abuse to HSI's tip line at 866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

If convicted, Imel faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for each of the five counts of production of child pornography.

United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the HSI, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, and the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph R. Baldwin and Kristi N. O’Malley, who are prosecuting the federal case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/former-football-coach-facing-federal-charges-production-child-pornography-involving-two

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 19, 2021

Jury Finds Little Eagle Man Guilty of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and Related Charges

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that Kimo Little Bird, Sr., age 40, of Little Eagle, South Dakota, was found guilty of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child, Felony Sex Offense Against a Minor While Required to Register as a Sex Offender, and Tampering with a Witness, as a result of a three-day federal jury trial in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on November 18, 2021.

The convictions carry a maximum penalty of a mandatory minimum of 40 years, up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years up to life of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

Little Bird was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 9, 2020.

Little Bird was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in September 2006. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. In 2016, Little Bird sexually abused an 11-year-old girl with whom he was residing. Prior to trial, Little Bird contacted multiple potential witnesses in an effort to manipulate and corruptly persuade the girl to recant her statement.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jay Miller and Troy Morley prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for May 23, 2022. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/jury-finds-little-eagle-man-guilty-aggravated-sexual-abuse-child-and-related-charges

Ghislaine Maxwell Charged In Manhattan Federal Court For Conspiring With Jeffrey Epstein To Sexually Abuse Minors

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/ghislaine-maxwell-charged-manhattan-federal-court-conspiring-jeffrey-epstein-sexually

United States v. Maxwell (1:20-cr-00330)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17318376/united-states-v-maxwell/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc

Giuffre v. Maxwell (1:15-cv-07433)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4355835/giuffre-v-maxwell/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 19, 2021

Maine Resident Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child Pornography and Attempting to Entice a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jay Scott Cloutier, age 58, of Lyman, Maine, pled guilty yesterday to attempting to coerce and entice a minor to engage in sexual acts with him and to receiving child pornography. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As part of his guilty plea, Cloutier admitted that, between April 2019 and September 2019, he exchanged sexually explicit text messages with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old child, in an attempt to entice the child into engaging in sexual acts with him. On September 20, 2019, he traveled from Maine to a prearranged meeting location in Colonie, New York, with the intent to engage in sexual acts with the 14-year-old child. Cloutier also admitted to having solicited and received a sexually explicit image of a 17-year-old child in November 2019 and a sexually explicit image of a 15-year-old child in February 2018.

Cloutier faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy will sentence him on March 15, 2022.

This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dustin C. Segovia as part of Project Safe Childhood.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/maine-resident-pleads-guilty-receiving-child-pornography-and-attempting-entice-minor

.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Washington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Lower Elwha S’Klallam Tribal Member Charged With Sexual Abuse of Minors

Sexual assaults occurred as early as 2008

Tacoma – A 68-year-old member of the Lower Elwha S’Klallam Tribe was indicted this week on multiple counts of sexual abuse of minors, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Joseph Anthony Turrey, of Port Angeles, Washington, was arrested November 10, 2021 and will be arraigned on the federal charges on November 26, 2021. He remains in federal custody.

According to records filed in the case, one young victim recently disclosed the abuse to the Lower Elwha S’Klallam child welfare authorities. The Lower Elwha S’Klallam Tribal Police and the FBI immediately began investigating. Special forensic investigators from the National Park Service assisted with the interview of the victim. The investigation determined that another victim was sexually assaulted by Turrey as early as 2008. Both victims were as young as 6 and 7-years-old when the assaults began. The assaults occurred on tribal land, triggering federal jurisdiction.

Turrey is charged with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor and one count of sexual abuse of a minor.

Aggravated sexual abuse of a minor is punishable by a mandatory minimum 30 years in prison. Sexual abuse of a minor is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and Lower Elwha S’Klallam Police Department, with assistance from the National Park Service.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Angelica Williams.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/lower-elwha-s-klallam-tribal-member-charged-sexual-abuse-minors

Project Safe Childhood Past Bread Buns

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all pb

>>15015205

>>15021936

Lower Elwha S’Klallam Tribal Member Charged With Sexual Abuse of Minors

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/lower-elwha-s-klallam-tribal-member-charged-sexual-abuse-minors

Maine Resident Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child Pornography and Attempting to Entice a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/maine-resident-pleads-guilty-receiving-child-pornography-and-attempting-entice-minor

Jury Finds Little Eagle Man Guilty of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and Related Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/jury-finds-little-eagle-man-guilty-aggravated-sexual-abuse-child-and-related-charges

Former Football Coach Facing Federal Charges for Production of Child Pornography Involving Two Minor Victims

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/former-football-coach-facing-federal-charges-production-child-pornography-involving-two

Dalton Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/dalton-man-sentenced-16-years-prison-sexual-exploitation-children

Omaha Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Sex Traffic a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/omaha-man-sentenced-conspiracy-sex-traffic-minor

Convicted Child Molester and Pedophile Sentenced to 15 Years of Imprisonment

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndin/pr/convicted-child-molester-and-pedophile-sentenced-15-years-imprisonment

Easton Man Facing Federal Indictment for Possession and Receipt of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/easton-man-facing-federal-indictment-possession-and-receipt-child-pornography

Weiser Man Sentenced to Over 5 Years for Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-id/pr/weiser-man-sentenced-over-5-years-possessing-child-pornography

Guatemalan National Convicted After Nine-Day Federal Trial for Sex Trafficking of a Minor and Related Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/guatemalan-national-convicted-after-nine-day-federal-trial-sex-trafficking-minor-and

JUDGE MICHAEL SCHECHTERLY PLEADS GUILTY TO INAPPROPRIATE CONTACT WITH MINORS

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/updates/case-update-judge-michael-schechterly-pleads-guilty-to-inappropriate-contact-with-minors/

United States v. Maxwell (1:20-cr-00330)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17318376/united-states-v-maxwell/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc

Upcoming Project Safe Childhood Trials/Sentencing

Bradford, PA Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/bradford-pa-man-pleads-guilty-receiving-child-pornography

Cortland County Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting a Child

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/cortland-county-man-pleads-guilty-sexually-exploiting-child

Oglala Man Indicted on Commercial Sex Trafficking Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/oglala-man-indicted-commercial-sex-trafficking-charges

Former Long Beach Police Officer Arrested on Federal Indictment Alleging He Distributed and Possessed Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/former-long-beach-police-officer-arrested-federal-indictment-alleging-he-distributed

Sioux Falls Man Charged with Child Pornography Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/sioux-falls-man-charged-child-pornography-charges

Sioux Falls Man Charged with Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/sioux-falls-man-charged-receipt-and-distribution-child-pornography

Halfmoon Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/halfmoon-man-pleads-guilty-attempted-coercion-and-enticement-minor-engage-criminal

Federal Jury Convicts Massachusetts Man On Five Counts Of Child Exploitation Related Offenses

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtn/pr/federal-jury-convicts-massachusetts-man-five-counts-child-exploitation-related-offenses

> United States v. Maxwell (1:20-cr-00330)

>>15040179

>>15056047

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 22, 2021

Second Brother Sentenced To Over Ten Years In Federal Prison For Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Materials

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Nicholas Stephen Woodyard (30, St. Augustine) to 10 years and 8 months in federal prison for distributing child sexual abuse materials, to be followed by a life term of supervised release. The court also ordered Woodyard to pay $5,000 in restitution to a victim of his crime. Nicholas Woodyard had pleaded guilty on March 5, 2021. Co-defendant Patrick Woodyard (Nicholas Woodyard’s twin brother) was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison December 2020, following his pleading guilty on August 28, 2020. Both men had been indicted on March 4, 2020, for the distribution, receipt, and possession of images and videos depicting children being sexually abused.

According to court documents, Homeland Security Investigations began investigating the internet upload of an image depicting the sexual abuse of a child. The image had been distributed from the Woodyard brothers’ residence in St. Augustine. Agents executed a search warrant and seized electronic devices that contained hundreds of files of child sex abuse materials, including videos of the sexual assault of a toddler-aged child. A forensic examination of one of these devices revealed Nicholas Woodyard’s efforts to secretly record his close family members while they were naked and his attempts and desires to engage in incest.

"Children are the most vulnerable victims, and predators such as this use extraordinary means and sophisticated deceptions to target and victimize innocent children across our communities,” said Homeland Security Investigations (Jacksonville) Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. "Thanks to the incredible work and dedication of our HSI special agents and our partners with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, this predator will no longer have access to such victims.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, working with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/second-brother-sentenced-over-ten-years-federal-prison-distributing-child-sexual-abuse

>>15056047

LETTER MOTION addressed to Judge Alison J. Nathan from AUSAs Maurene Comey, Alison Moe, Lara Pomerantz, and Andrew Rohrbach

>Judge Alison J. Nathan

https://www.justice.gov/usao/pressreleases?sort=field_pr_date&order=desc&keys=Alison%20Nathan&items_per_page=50

>Maurene Comey

https://www.justice.gov/usao/pressreleases?sort=field_pr_date&order=desc&keys=maurene%20comey&items_per_page=50

> Alison Moe

https://www.justice.gov/usao/pressreleases?sort=field_pr_date&order=desc&keys=Alison%20Moe&items_per_page=50

>Lara Pomerantz

https://www.justice.gov/usao/pressreleases?sort=field_pr_date&order=desc&keys=Lara%20Pomerantz&items_per_page=50

>Andrew Rohrbach

https://www.justice.gov/usao/pressreleases?sort=field_pr_date&order=desc&keys=Andrew%20Rohrbach&items_per_page=50

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of New York

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Former United Nations Employee Charged With Making False Statements To Cover Up Sexual Assaults

Karim Elkorany Allegedly Drugged and Sexually Assaulted Multiple Women While Working for the United Nations

Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that KARIM ELKORANY, a former communications specialist with the United Nations (“UN”) in Iraq, was charged in an Indictment in Manhattan federal court with two counts of making false statements to special agents of the FBI in an effort to conceal his drugging and sexual assault of multiple women while he worked for the UN. ELKORANY was arrested in New Jersey today and is expected to be presented before Magistrate Judge James L. Cott this afternoon. The case is assigned to District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “Karim Elkorany, a former United Nations communications specialist, was accused of furtively drugging and sexually assaulting several women. When questioned by the FBI, Elkorany compounded his alleged unconscionable conduct by making false statements to the special agents investigating the assaults. Thanks to the diligence of the FBI, Elkorany now faces serious time in an American federal prison. We urge any individuals who may have information concerning Elkorany or any similar conduct to please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL- FBI or tips.fbi.gov.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “Investigated by UN officials for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in Iraq in 2016, Elkorany caught the eye of the FBI. Elkorany’s conduct, as detailed in today’s charges, is abhorrent, and the false statements made to the FBI Special Agents conducting this investigation are federal offenses. Our investigation continues, and if anyone has information about Elkorany, please contact us at 1-800-CALL- FBI or via our tipline at tips.fbi.gov.”

Since at least in or about 2005 up to at least in or about April 2018, ELKORANY worked in international aid, development, and/or foreign relations. From in or about October 2013 up to in or about April 2016, ELKORANY worked for the UN Children’s Fund in Iraq. From in or about July 2016 up to in or about April 2018, ELKORANY worked as a Communications Specialist for the UN in Iraq.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/former-united-nations-employee-charged-making-false-statements-cover-sexual-assaults#_ftn1

As noted at the November 10 conference, the Court will hold final pretrial conference on

November 23, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. The proceeding will take place in Courtroom 318 of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse at 40 Foley Square, New York, New York. In accordance with its prior Order, the Court will ensure access for alleged victims and any members of the Defendant’s family. Dkt. No. 344.

In order to comply with the District’s COVID-19 protocols, a number of pool reporters will be permitted in the courtroom proper as managed by the District Executive’s Office. In- house press will also be able to access the proceeding in overflow press rooms. The public will be able to access the proceeding in overflow Courtrooms 110, 506, 905, and 906 of the Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse. These overflow rooms will have live video and audio feeds of the proceeding. The use of any electronic devices during the proceeding in the overflow rooms is strictly prohibited.

The Court anticipates seating capacity in the overflow rooms for at least 90 members of the public. If capacity is reached, no additional persons will be admitted. Per the S.D.N.Y.

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Central District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 22, 2021

San Bernardino County Man Found Guilty of Federal Charges for Paying for Sex from Underage Girl He Met on Internet

RIVERSIDE, California – A San Bernardino County man has been found guilty of criminal charges for paying a teenager he met on the internet to have sex with him on two occasions, the Justice Department announced today.

Jason Dee Taylor, 41, of Fontana, was found guilty of one count of sex trafficking of a minor and one count of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. A federal jury returned the verdict on Friday afternoon.

According to the evidence presented at his four-day trial, Taylor contacted the victim on a public website. They exchanged messages through that website’s messenger feature and then switched to communicating via Instagram messenger.

Although she initially represented that she was 19 years old, the victim told defendant almost immediately that she was 16, even though she was 15 years old at the time. In response, Taylor wrote her, “I’ll be honest. I like your age, it’s kinda hot.”

Twice in April 2020, Taylor drove to Santa Barbara County, picked up the victim, took her to a hotel, and paid her a total of $600 for sex.

That same month, the victim’s family friend, whose phone she used to communicate with Taylor, found the messages between Taylor and the victim. When a member of the victim’s family sent Taylor a message informing him that they were going to report him to law enforcement, Taylor deleted his Instagram account, but not before the family friend had taken screenshots of the incriminating communications.

United States District Judge Jesus G. Bernal has scheduled a February 7, 2022 sentencing hearing, at which time Taylor will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The FBI investigated this matter, with the assistance of the Guadalupe Police Department, the Santa Maria Police Department, and the Fontana Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Sonah Lee of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/san-bernardino-county-man-found-guilty-federal-charges-paying-sex-underage-girl-he-met

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 22, 2021

Aberdeen Man Pleads Guilty to Coercion and Enticement of Three Minor Females

Defendant Traveled Across State Lines to Engage in Sexual Acts with a Minor Female and Recorded the Acts on His Cell Phone

Baltimore, Maryland – Anthony Gonzalez, age 40, of Aberdeen, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to coercion and enticement.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Director Darrell R. Reider of the Swatara Township Police Department (Pennsylvania).

According to his guilty plea, between 2017 and 2019, Gonzalez used cell phones and the internet to persuade, entice, and coerce three minor females to engage in sexual activity.

Specially, in June 2018, Gonzalez made contact with an underaged female victim (Victim 1) on a social media application. Although Victim 1’s profile stated that she was 18 years old, Victim 1 informed Gonzalez that her actual age was 16 years old. During their communication, Gonzalez referred to Victim 1 as his girlfriend, discussed getting married to her, and initiated sexual conversations.

In one instance, Gonzalez asked Victim 1 to sneak out of her hotel room that she was sharing with her father to meet Gonzalez. On June 27, 2018, Gonzalez traveled from his Bel Air, Maryland residence to meet Victim 1 at the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania hotel. There, Gonzalez and Victim 1 engaged in sexually explicit activity twice. In one sexual encounter, Gonzalez recorded the sexual acts on his cell phone. Additionally, Gonzalez brought Victim 1 a cell phone with the ability to take pictures and videos as her cell phone could not. Following their meeting, Gonzalez asked Victim 1 “Do you always delete our messages from your phone baby?”.

Between 2017 and 2018, Gonzalez met Victim 2, when she was 13 years old. Gonzalez initiated a romantic online relationship with Victim 2. During their conversations, Gonzalez frequently held sexual conversations with Victim 2 and convinced the victim to send sexual images. Also, Gonzalez discussed meeting with Victim 2 in person. When Victim 2 declined and blocked Gonzalez multiple times, a mutual friend encouraged her to communicate with him.

Gonzalez met Victim 3 in 2018 when she was 15 years old. Gonzalez told Victim 3 that they were “boyfriend and girlfriend” and convinced her to send him sexually explicit images at his request. Victim 3 genuinely believed that she had to do what Gonzalez requested because she was his “girlfriend”. In total, Victim 3 sent explicit images over 500 times at his request.

As detailed in his plea agreement, on January 24, 2019, a federal search warrant was executed at Gonzalez’s Aberdeen, Maryland residence. As a result of the search warrant, law enforcement seized several devices including two tablets, three cell phones, and a SIM card. In an interview with law enforcement, Gonzalez admitted to engaging in sex acts with Victim 1 and saved the recordings to an internet storage system. He also admitted to law enforcement that he knew Victim 2 was a minor during their conversations and had approximately four sexually explicit images of her.

Gonzalez and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Gonzalez will be sentenced to between 10 and 16 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for February 24, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.

Acting United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the Maryland State Police Department and the Swatara Township Police Department (Pennsylvania) for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow, who is prosecuting the federal case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/aberdeen-man-pleads-guilty-coercion-and-enticement-three-minor-females

>>15040179

>https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17318376/united-states-v-maxwell/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc

ORDER as to Ghislaine Maxwell. The Court is in receipt of the Government's proposed redactions to the parties supplemental briefing and the Court's Memorandum Opinion & Order regarding the admissibility of the anticipated testimony of Witness-3. Dkt. No. 481; see also Dkt. No. 477. Accordingly, the parties are ORDERED to file the redacted papers on the public docket by November 22, 2021, including the Government's supplemental letter regarding Witness-3 dated November 7, 2021 in response to Dkt. No. 417. The Court will file the redacted Memorandum Opinion & Order (Signed by Judge Alison J. Nathan on 11/22/21)(jw) (Entered: 11/22/2021)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612.485.0.pdf

LETTER MOTION addressed to Judge Alison J. Nathan from AUSAs Maurene Comey, Alison Moe, Lara Pomerantz, and Andrew Rohrbach dated November 22, 2021 re: Proposed Redactions . Document filed by USA as to Ghislaine Maxwell. (Rohrbach, Andrew) (Entered: 11/22/2021)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612.486.0.pdf

LETTER MOTION addressed to Judge Alison J. Nathan from AUSAs Maurene Comey, Alison Moe, Lara Pomerantz, and Andrew Rohrbach dated November 18, 2021 re: Motion to quash Rule 17(c) subpoena . Document filed by USA as to Ghislaine Maxwell. (Rohrbach, Andrew) (Entered: 11/22/2021)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612.487.0.pdf

LETTER MOTION addressed to Judge Alison J. Nathan from AUSAs Maurene Comey, Alison Moe, Lara Pomerantz, and Andrew Rohrbach dated November 18, 2021 re: Authenticate birth certificates . Document filed by USA as to Ghislaine Maxwell. (Rohrbach, Andrew) (Entered: 11/22/2021)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612.488.0.pdf

LETTER by Ghislaine Maxwell addressed to Judge Alison J. Nathan from Christian R. Everdell dated 11/20/21 re: Birth Certificates (Everdell, Christian) (Entered: 11/22/2021)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612.489.0.pdf

LETTER by Ghislaine Maxwell addressed to Judge Alison J. Nathan from Jeffrey S. Pagliuca dated November 15, 2021 re: Government Exhibit 52 (Pagliuca, Jeffrey) (Entered: 11/22/2021)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612.490.0.pdf

LETTER by USA as to Ghislaine Maxwell addressed to Judge Alison J. Nathan from AUSAs Maurene Comey, Alison Moe, Lara Pomerantz, and Andrew Rohrbach dated November 21, 2021 re: Reply re GX-52 Document filed by USA. (Rohrbach, Andrew) (Entered: 11/22/2021)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612.491.0.pdf

LETTER by USA as to Ghislaine Maxwell addressed to Judge Alison J. Nathan from AUSAs Maurene Comey, Alison Moe, Lara Pomerantz, and Andrew Rohrbach dated November 5, 2021 re: Supplemental letter re Witness-3 Document filed by USA. (Rohrbach, Andrew) (Entered: 11/22/2021)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612.492.0.pdf

LETTER by USA as to Ghislaine Maxwell addressed to Judge Alison J. Nathan from AUSAs Maurene Comey, Alison Moe, Lara Pomerantz, and Andrew Rohrbach dated November 7, 2021 re: Witness-3 and Definitions of "Victim" Document filed by USA. (Rohrbach, Andrew) (Entered: 11/22/2021)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612.493.0.pdf

LETTER by Ghislaine Maxwell addressed to Judge Alison J. Nathan from Christian R. Everdell dated 11/11/21 re: Accuser-3 Evidence (Everdell, Christian) (Entered: 11/22/2021)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612.494.0.pdf

>>15056273

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of New York

Thursday, December 13, 2018

U.S. Attorney Announces Charges Against 19 Defendants For The Sex Trafficking Of Minor Girls And Young Women In New York State’s Child Welfare System

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of five indictments and three superseding indictments charging a total of 19 with participating in the sex trafficking of minor girls and young women. As alleged, the defendants trafficked or recruited to engage in prostitution at least 15 minor girls in the child welfare system, including at least nine minors who resided at a particular non-incarceratory residential treatment facility located in Westchester County (“Facility-1”). Facility-1 provided housing for at-risk and troubled children and adolescents on behalf of departments of social welfare for certain counties in New York State.

In each of these eight indicted cases, victims of the charged conduct included one or more minors who resided at Facility-1 and were in the New York State’s social welfare system. The conduct charged in the eight cases occurred, as detailed below, between the years of 2010 and 2018.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated: “Children in the child welfare system are among the most vulnerable in our society. As alleged in today’s charges, the defendants and their conspirators callously recruited girls as young as 13 from a residential treatment facility for at-risk youth, then sexually trafficked and prostituted them for financial profit. Together with our partners in the FBI, we will work tirelessly to ensure that anyone who sexually traffics a minor is subject to the full force of the law.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “Sex traffickers routinely prey on young people and those in our communities who are the most defenseless. As alleged, the defendants targeted vulnerable women and girls, including residents of a facility for at-risk children and adolescents, knowing that the victims would be more susceptible to their claims. The FBI Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue and hold accountable anyone who exploits others for their own profit.”

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/us-attorney-announces-charges-against-19-defendants-sex-trafficking-minor-girls-and

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 22, 2021

Convicted Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offenses

Defendant induced a minor in the Philippines to engage in sexually explicit conduct using Facebook messenger

BOSTON – A Greenfield man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Springfield to receipt of child pornography.

Charles Fox, 46, pleaded guilty to two counts of receipt of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for March 22, 2022. Fox was indicted in July 2019 and has remained in federal custody since his arrest in June 2019.

Fox induced a minor in the Philippines to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing images of that conduct. Specifically, Fox used Facebook messenger to communicate with the minor and to receive the pornographic images. In exchange for the images, Fox sent Western Union payments to the Philippines. In 2010, Fox was convicted of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years of age.

Due to the defendant’s prior sex offense conviction, the charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 40 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/convicted-sex-offender-pleads-guilty-child-pornography-offenses

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Repeat Child Sex Offender from Rock Hill Sentenced To More Than 11 and a Half Years in Federal Prison

Columbia, South Carolina — Acting United States Attorney M. Rhett DeHart announced today that Xanthus Nakia Murdaugh, 46, of Rock Hill, was sentenced to more than 11 and 1/2 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to an offense related to the attempted sexual exploitation of a child.

Evidence presented to the court showed that Murdaugh is a repeat offender, having a prior federal child pornography conviction and a prior state conviction for Solicitation of a Crime Against Nature. Murdaugh also admitted to the sexual abuse of numerous minors, including children in the foster system, for which he had never been held accountable.

Evidence presented in court further showed that on November 6, 2019, Murdaugh communicated with undercover law enforcement on a social media application that allows users anonymously communicate with other users. On that same date, Murdaugh began speaking with who he was told was a mother who needed help with her children. After Murdaugh was told the mother had a 13-year-old daughter, he indicated an interest in having sex with the minor. With condoms and lubricant, Murdaugh drove to a residence where he was told the 13-year-old minor would be present. Murdaugh was arrested that night and has remained in custody since that time. Murdaugh ultimately pled guilty to the attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.

United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs sentenced Murdaugh to 140 months in federal prison, near the top of his advisory guideline range, to be followed by a 10-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security (HSI), York County Sherriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Secret Service, South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Elliott B. Daniels prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/repeat-child-sex-offender-rock-hill-sentenced-more-11-and-half-years-federal-prison

Colorado Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Kidnapping a Toddler and Producing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/colorado-man-sentenced-life-prison-kidnapping-toddler-and-producing-child-pornography

Illinois Couple Sentenced for Multiple Kidnappings and Transporting Minor with Intent to Engage in Sexual Activity

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/illinois-couple-sentenced-multiple-kidnappings-and-transporting-minor-intent-engage-sexual

Navajo Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Kidnapping, Sexually Assaulting and Murdering 11-Year-Old Navajo Child

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/navajo-man-sentenced-life-imprisonment-kidnapping-sexually-assaulting-and-murdering-11

Non-Indian Sex Offender from Vanderwagon Sentenced for Sexual Abuse and Kidnapping of Navajo Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/non-indian-sex-offender-vanderwagon-sentenced-sexual-abuse-and-kidnapping-navajo-children

Round Rock Man Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Kidnapping Two Sisters in December 2017 and Federal Sex Offenses Involving a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/round-rock-man-sentenced-life-federal-prison-kidnapping-two-sisters-december-2017-and

Arizona Man Sentenced To Over 11 Years In Prison For Kidnapping Girl And Transporting And Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/arizona-man-sentenced-over-11-years-prison-kidnapping-girl-and-transporting-and

Thompson Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Kidnapping and Sexually Assaulting Massachusetts Girl

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/thompson-man-sentenced-20-years-prison-kidnapping-and-sexually-assaulting-massachusetts

North Las Vegas Man Sentenced For Kidnapping And Sexually Exploiting A Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/north-las-vegas-man-sentenced-kidnapping-and-sexually-exploiting-minor

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Mission Man Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor was sentenced on November 22, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court Judge.

Julio Rodriguez, III, age 20, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Rodriguez was indicted for Sexual Abuse of a Minor by a federal grand jury on February 8, 2021. He pled guilty on August 19, 2021.

The conviction stems from an incident on July 10, 2020, in Todd County, when Rodriguez, who was 18 years old, engaged in a sexual act with a minor who was 13 years old.

This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Rodriguez was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/mission-man-sentenced-sexual-abuse-minor-2

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Assistant Commissioner of NYC Probation Department Sentenced to 12+ Years for Child Pornography Offenses

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Robert Costello, 54, of Bethlehem, PA, was sentenced to twelve years and seven months in prison, and lifetime supervised release by United States District Court Judge Joseph F. Leeson, Jr. for child pornography offenses.

In March 2021, Costello pleaded guilty to all counts against him: three counts of receipt of child pornography, one count of access with intent to view child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. The defendant admitted to receiving sexually explicit images of children over the Internet and possessing thousands of sexually explicit images and videos of children on several devices that he kept and stored at his residence. During the time that he committed these crimes, Costello was employed as Assistant Commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation.

“The defendant held a position of public trust paid by taxpayer dollars as an Assistant Commissioner with the City of New York,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “And at the same time, he was also downloading and storing sexually exploitative images of children – thus creating demand for those depictions to be produced and children to be victimized. Our Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners in all jurisdictions to investigate and prosecute child sexual exploitation offenses – no matter what profession or status the offenders may hold.”

“Sexually exploiting children is a terrible crime, made even more reprehensible when the perpetrator is someone in a position of public trust,” said Brian A. Michael, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia, “Robert Costello, as an Assistant Commissioner of New York City’s probation department, violated that trust, and now he will face the consequences. HSI will continue to pursue cases like this one, to protect children and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their crimes.”

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and Bethlehem Township Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Francis A. Weber and Kelly Harrell and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Jessica Urban of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/assistant-commissioner-nyc-probation-department-sentenced-12-years-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Missouri

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Former Joplin Teacher Sentenced to 20 Years for Enticing a Minor for Sex

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A former Joplin, Missouri, middle school teacher was sentenced in federal court today for charges related to enticing one of her students to engage in illicit sex.

Amanda Ruth Schweitzer, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Schweitzer to 15 years of supervised release following incarceration.

On June 16, 2020, Schweitzer pleaded guilty to enticing a minor for illegal sexual activity. Schweitzer was a teacher at North Middle School in Joplin at the time of the offense.

The 13-year-old victim, who was a student of Schweitzer’s, reported Schweitzer sent nude photos of herself to the victim, with whom she primarily communicated via Instagram, and engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim on at least two occasions in March 2017. The victim reported that he also sent a nude image of himself to Schweitzer.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, and the FBI.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/former-joplin-teacher-sentenced-20-years-enticing-minor-sex

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Former Norwell Youth Football Coach Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting Children

BOSTON – A former Norwell youth football coach was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for sexually exploiting children.

Derek Sheehan, 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 45 years in prison and five years of supervised release. On July 20, 2021, Sheehan pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of children.

“Mr. Sheehan abused his status as a youth football coach to prey on vulnerable children. He manipulated and sexually exploited them for months, and for that he will spend the rest of his life behind bars,” said Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell. “There are few crimes deserving of a life sentence, and this is one of them. We do all we can to protect our children and ensure their safety, as this case shows.”

“Adults who use their access to children for their own sexual gratification, like former football coach Derek Sheehan did, are both a danger and a disgrace. What Derek Sheehan did is absolutely horrific, and the impact on his victims is immeasurable. While today’s sentencing cannot erase that harm, it ensures he will remain behind bars for a very long time, unable to victimize anyone else, ever again,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will never stop working to put predators like him behind bars. These are incredibly disturbing cases, and each time we're able to step in and protect a child from further sexual abuse, it's a good day.”

In June 2018, one of the minor victims reported sexual abuse by Sheehan to local law enforcement. On Aug. 17, 2018, a search of Sheehan’s Norwell residence resulted in the seizure of electronic devices that contained child pornography. Subsequent analysis of those devices uncovered video evidence of Sheehan, a Norwell youth football coach at the time, sexually abusing three minors while they slept at his home on various dates between March 2017 and July 2018. The victims depicted in the footage, all of whom were known to Sheehan, were 11 and 12 years old when he sexually abused them.

Acting United States Attorney Mendell and FBI SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Plymouth County and Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Offices; the Massachusetts State Police; and the Norwell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Chief of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit and the Project Safe Childhood coordinator, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno, of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-norwell-youth-football-coach-sentenced-45-years-prison-sexually-exploiting

>>15058844

ORDER as to Ghislaine Maxwell. As discussed at today's conference, attached is the Courts draft preliminary instructions for the sworn jury. The Court has considered both parties proposed instructions as to the Courts order that certain witnesses be permitted to testify or be referred to by first name only or pseudonym. Dkt. No. 432. The draft preliminary instructions include a limiting instruction regarding this process. The parties may suggest any proposed edits to the preliminary instructions by letter on or before November 27, 2021, or they shall indicate by that date that they have no objections or suggestions. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Alison J. Nathan on 11/23/21)(jw) (Entered: 11/23/2021)

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Cortland County Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting a 3-Year-Old Child

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Lawrence Berry, age 28, of Marathon, New York was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge David N. Hurd to 30 years’ imprisonment for sexual exploitation of a child. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Berry admitted that he conspired with Brittany Berry (who has pled guilty to her role in the offense and is scheduled to be sentenced in December 2021) to sexually exploit a 3-year-old minor child in August and September of 2018 and that he directed Brittany Berry to sexually exploit the child on five different occasions for the purpose of creating and sending images and videos (live and recorded) of the sexual abuse to him over the internet.

In addition to the imprisonment term, Judge Hurd sentenced Berry to 25 years of supervised release to begin after he serves his term of imprisonment. Upon release from prison, Berry also will be required to register as a sex offender in any state where he lives, is employed, or is a student.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the City of Cortland Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian LaRochelle as part of Project Safe Childhood.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/cortland-county-man-sentenced-30-years-prison-sexually-exploiting-3-year-old-child

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Iowa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Des Moines Man Indicted on Attempted Child Exploitation, Attempted Enticement of a Minor and Related Charges

DES MOINES, IA – A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned an indictment on November 17, 2021, charging a Des Moines man with attempting to produce child pornography, attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activities and other related charges.

According to court documents, Dennis Eugene Kimball, age 57, of Des Moines, communicated online with an undercover officer posing as a minor female and arranged to meet her for sex in an area motel. Kimball also asked who he believed to be the minor female to send him sexually explicit images of herself and sent her videos of himself masturbating. Through online communication, Kimball also asked for her phone number to arrange a meeting for sex.

Kimball is charged with attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, enticement and attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activities, transfer and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, use and attempted use of interstate facilities to transmit information about a minor, and commission of a felony offense involving a minor by a registered sex offender. The defendant was arraigned on November 19, 2021, and was detained pending trial. If convicted of all charges, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case is being investigated by the Altoona Police Department, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation The following agencies have assisted in the investigation: Iowa Division of Intelligence, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Polk County Attorney’s Office.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/des-moines-man-indicted-attempted-child-exploitation-attempted-enticement-minor-and

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Indiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Twice-Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 40 Years for Creating and Trafficking in Images and Videos of Child Sexual Abuse

INDIANAPOLIS – An Indianapolis man was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a Michigan teen and trafficking in child sexual abuse images and videos. He was previously convicted in state court of sexually abusing children and possessing images of child sexual abuse.

In 2020, investigators uncovered that Charles Piel, 24, had been sending and receiving images and videos of child sexual abuse over the internet, including sending such material to a minor child in Florida in 2019. Following his arrest, investigators further examined his electronic devices and online accounts and found other sexually explicit communications with a child in Michigan. The investigation showed that in September of 2020, Piel traveled to Michigan to engage in sexual conduct with the child, and that Piel made recordings of the conduct. Investigators found that after this, Piel continued to communicate with the child, and eventually created additional recordings of the child engaged in sexually explicit conduct over video conferencing. Piel maintained all these recordings, along with a larger collection of child sexual abuse images and videos, until his arrest in October of 2020.

At the time he committed these crimes, Piel had already been twice convicted of child sexual abuse offenses. In 2017, Piel was convicted in Hendricks County, Indiana of Sexual Battery for his sexual contact with two minor boys. He was sentenced to a term of probation. In 2018, while on probation, Piel committed and was convicted in Marion County of Possession of Child Pornography. He was placed on Community Corrections Home Detention, which he violated, resulting in a stint in jail. Following his release, Piel began his sexually explicit communications with the minor in Florida and the conduct that led to this federal prosecution.

“Charles Piel is a habitual child predator who made a career out of sexually abusing and exploiting children,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “I commend the work of the investigators and prosecutors who have taken this child predator out of our community and helped to bring justice to his young victims. This case is yet another example of the outstanding work of Indiana’s nationally-renowned Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.”

In fiscal year 2019, the Southern District of Indiana was second out of the ninety-four federal districts in the number of child exploitation cases prosecuted.

“The world is a safer place without Mr. Piel on the streets. No longer will he be able to prey on some our most innocent residents. Thank you to the men and women of IMPD who work day after day to keep our streets safe,” said IMPD Police Chief Randal Taylor.

“Today’s sentencing illustrates the Secret Service’s commitment to investigate crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children through our liaison efforts with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and our close partnerships with our state, local and federal agencies,” said Eric K. Reed, Special Agent in Charge, Secret Service Indianapolis Field Office. “The Secret Service is proud to have partnered with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring this case to justice and protect our nation’s children from these most heinous crimes.”

This case was the result of an investigation by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the United States Secret Service.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Kristina M. Korobov, who prosecuted the case, said Piel was ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution and will be federally supervised for a life term following his release from prison.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/twice-convicted-sex-offender-sentenced-40-years-creating-and-trafficking-images-and

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Vermont

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Alburgh Man Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment for Child Exploitation Offenses

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on November 23, 2021, Randy Sheltra, 59, of Alburgh, Vermont, was sentenced in United States District Court in Burlington, Vermont, to serve 15 years of imprisonment following his conviction, after a six-day jury trial, of two counts of attempting to persuade, induce, and entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, and one count of attempted receipt of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss also ordered Sheltra to serve a 30-year term of supervised release and to pay a special assessment of $300.

According to court records and proceedings, on September 7, 2017, Sheltra began communicating with a person whom he believed was the mother of a 10-year-old girl responding to his post on Craigslist. In reality, the woman was an undercover law enforcement officer. During communications between Sheltra and the undercover over the following three days, Sheltra attempted to persuade the woman to permit her 10-year-old daughter to engage in sexual activity with him. Law enforcement arrested Sheltra on September 10, 2017, when he arrived at a park in South Burlington to meet the woman and her daughter for sexual activity. Law enforcement seized Sheltra’s cell phone at the time of his arrest. Communications contained within the phone showed that in August 2017, Sheltra had attempted to persuade a real 15-year-old Vermont girl to engage in sexual activity with him and had, in fact, met with the child for sexual activity. Sheltra also asked the child to send him explicit photographs.

In imposing Sheltra’s sentence, Judge Reiss found that Sheltra obstructed justice when he provided false testimony at his trial and qualified as a “repeat and dangerous” sex offender.

Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in the investigation and prosecution of Sheltra.

The prosecution of Sheltra was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barbara A. Masterson and Andrew C. Gilman. Sheltra was represented by Mark Kaplan of Kaplan & Kaplan.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-vt/pr/alburgh-man-sentenced-15-years-imprisonment-child-exploitation-offenses

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Nebraska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Man Sentenced for Child Pornography Distribution on Pinterest

Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Timothy E. Caruso, 45, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. after being found guilty by a jury on July 15, 2021 of charges of distributing of child pornography and accessing with intent to view child pornography. Caruso was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment for the child pornography offenses and 14 months for a violation of supervised release, which will be served consecutive to his sentence for the child pornography offense. Caruso will be on supervised release for life upon his release from prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

Caruso was on federal supervision after a prior conviction for failing to register as a sex offender. In December 2018, Caruso uploaded an image of child pornography to a private section of Pinterest. Pinterest reported the upload to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The image was traced back to a Google account used by Caruso and sent from an IP address where he was staying. Further investigation discovered Caruso’s search terms indicating an interest in young girls. His messages on Pinterest included that he had lost his child pornography collection and was seeking to trade child pornography and acquire new images.

This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/man-sentenced-child-pornography-distribution-pinterest

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Idaho

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Caldwell Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

BOISE – A Caldwell man pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography.

According to court records, on May 5, 2020, a citizen witness reported that she observed child pornography on a cellphone belonging to Kenneth Rowe, 50, of Caldwell. The citizen witness turned the cellphone over to the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office and the investigation was referred to the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. ICAC obtained a federal search warrant to review the cellphone for evidence of the possession of child pornography and located over a thousand files of child pornography and evidence that Rowe was the owner of the cellphone. Law enforcement also located evidence that Rowe used an application on his cellphone to trade files of child pornography with other individuals. At the time of the investigation, Rowe was a registered sex offender who was on parole for a prior sex offense.

Sentencing is scheduled before Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye on February 15, 2022. Because Rowe has a prior conviction for a sexual offense, the crime of possession of child pornography is punishable by a mandatory minimum of ten years and up to 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, not less than five years and up to lifetime of supervised release, and a $5,100 special assessment. As part of his plea agreement, Rowe agreed to forfeit the cellphone he used in the commission of the offense.

Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Idaho ICAC Task Force and the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, which led to charges.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-id/pr/caldwell-man-pleads-guilty-possession-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Dansville Teacher Arrested On Multiple Child Pornography Charges

Investigators Looking for Assistance from the Public

CONTACT: Barbara Burns

PHONE: (716) 843-5817

FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Derek Hagen, 29, of Batavia, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with producing, receiving, distributing, and possessing child pornography. The charges carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 30 years.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in September 2020, Snapchat sent a cybertip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding a user that had uploaded images of child pornography to a group chat. After tracing the user to Western New York, NCMEC alerted the New York State Police, who subsequently identified the defendant.

On July 20, 2021, investigators confiscated two computers and a cell phone from Hagen’s apartment in Mount Morris, NY. A forensic analysis uncovered a pattern of child exploitation activity on the devices with the defendant actively producing and distributing child pornography in online chats. During the chats, Hagen and the other individuals traded child pornography and discussed specific children that they had sexually abused or wanted to sexually abuse. To date, analysts have recovered approximately 50,000 of images and videos of child pornography on Hagen’s devices.

The complaint further states that the defendant worked in several teaching, substitute teaching, and child-care positions in the Western District of New York, including at the Brockport Childhood Development Center; the Batavia City School District; the Pembroke Central School District; and most recently with the Dansville Central School District.

Members of the public who have information related to this case are asked to contact Homeland Security Investigations at (716) 464-6070 or hsibuffalotips@ice.dhs.gov.

The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/dansville-teacher-arrested-multiple-child-pornography-charges

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Troy Resident Charged with Distributing Child Pornography

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Terence Ratigan, age 39, of Troy, New York, appeared in federal court yesterday on child pornography charges. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

A criminal complaint alleges that Ratigan distributed child pornography over the internet. The charge in the criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The charge against Ratigan carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years in prison, a post-release term of supervision of between 5 years and life, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Ratigan made his initial appearance yesterday before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart. Ratigan requested to adjourn his detention hearing, set for today, to a later date. Ratigan will remain detained pending future hearings in this matter.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Rotterdam, Troy, and Colonie Police Departments and the New York State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Williams.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/troy-resident-charged-distributing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Baltimore Man Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Child Pornography

Ashe Posed as a Minor Female on Social Media Platforms to Sell Purported Child Pornography; Possessed More Than 700 Depictions of Child Pornography

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Eric Donovan Ashe, age 24, of Baltimore, Maryland to 85 months in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for distribution of child pornography. Judge Hollander also ordered that, upon his release from prison, Ashe must register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.

According to his guilty plea, from 2017 to September 2019, Ashe posed as multiple minor girls and sold purported self-made pornography to various men in exchange for over $24,000 in gift cards. In addition to searching for child pornography for at least five years, Ashe also distributed and received child pornography.

As detailed in his plea agreement, in 2016 Ashe pretended to be a female minor while communicating with a 13-year-old female victim (Minor Victim 1) on a social media platform. Ashe later communicated with Minor Victim 1 as himself, including engaging in sexually explicit conversations with Minor Victim 1. Ashe also created a fictious social media account in Minor Victim 1’s likeness, using pictures he uploaded from Minor Victim 1’s genuine social media account and a fictitious name. The Minor Victim 1 did not give permission for Ashe to use her likeness in any capacity.

While posing as a minor in the likeness of the Minor Victim 1, Ashe communicated with dozens of men, and arranged to sell sexually explicit pictures and videos of Minor Victim 1 (who he claimed to be to the men). Ashe offered various poses and sex acts in exchange for gift cards in various amounts. For example, on September 27, 2017, while posing as Victim 1, Ashe sent a “menu” to dozens of social media users for the price of certain images and sex acts to online users. In one instance, Ashe sent a messaging stating “100 would get u 2 nude 2 masturbation video and a full body nude”.

Once Ashe completed the negotiations on social media, he instructed buyers to send gift cards to him and then directed the buyers to communicate with him on another messaging application. Once on the messaging application, Ashe received payment and sent the explicit images to the buyers.

From July 7, 2017 to December 17, 2018, Ashe loaded over $24,000 in gift cards and spent at least $17,000 on electronics, restaurant gift cards, and clothing. All orders were shipped to Ashe’s Baltimore address.

As stated in his plea agreement, Ashe used two other fictitious social media profiles where he purported to be minor females. Specifically, on September 5, 2017, Ashe used a messaging application to send a 1 minute and 41 second video that depicts a prepubescent minor female engaged in sexual acts.

Law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at Ashe’s Baltimore residence on September 11, 2019. During the search, investigators seized three of Ashe’s devices which contained over 500 videos and 250 images of child pornography. The files included images of prepubescent minors engaging in sexual acts. A subsequent forensic analysis of Ashe’s devices revealed that Ashe had been searching for child pornography since 2014 and as recently as 2019. For example, on one of Ashe’s cell phones, Ashe searched phrases including: “movies about kids getting raped”, “are all men pedophile” and “necrophilia.”

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/baltimore-man-sentenced-more-seven-years-federal-prison-distribution-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 26, 2021

Wentworth Man Charged with Ceceipt and Distribution of Child Pornography

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Wentworth, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography.

Jordan Charles Opdahl, age 29, was indicted on November 9, 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on November 24, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about October 20, 2020, Opdahl knowingly received and distributed, and attempted to receive and distribute, child pornography that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce by any means, including by computer.

The charge is merely an accusation and Opdahl is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, Madison Police Department, and Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.

Opdahl was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/wentworth-man-charged-ceceipt-and-distribution-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 29, 2021

Huntingdon Man Sentenced To 20 Years’ Imprisonment For Receiving Child Pornography

HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Brendon Rothrock, age 23, of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on November 24, 2021, to 20 years’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for receiving child pornography. The sentence also includes a 15-year term of supervised release, which will follow the term of imprisonment.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, in February 2018, Rothrock communicated with another individual through Kik Messenger regarding the sexual exploitation of children. Through those communications, Rothrock encouraged the other individual to sexually assault an 18-month-old girl. The other individual complied and, at Rothrock’s request, sent Rothrock images of the assault. Rothrock also received hundreds of additional images of child pornography.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli and former Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Clancy prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/huntingdon-man-sentenced-20-years-imprisonment-receiving-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of New Jersey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 29, 2021

Monmouth County Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Using Facebook to Induce Minor to Send Sexually Explicit Pictures and Videos

TRENTON, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey man, was sentenced today to 87 months in prison for knowingly receiving child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Herman Christopher Jensen, 68, of Union Beach, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan to a one-count information charging him with knowingly receiving child pornography. Judge Sheridan imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.

According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

The FBI began investigating Jensen for assuming the identity of a 17-year-old boy in order to entice and solicit an underage girl to send nude and sexually explicit images over the internet. Jensen did this by creating a fake Facebook account, purporting to be a teenaged boy named “Kevin Bennett.” From January 2018 through about August 2018, Jensen used the “Kevin Bennett” Facebook account to communicate with the minor victim frequently, causing her to believe that she was involved in a romantic relationship with “Kevin Bennett.”

Jensen requested nude and semi-nude photographs from the victim minor through Facebook’s messenger service. As time went on, Jensen received increasingly explicit videos depicting the minor victim engaging in sexually explicit activity. In August of 2018, Jensen revealed to the minor victim that he was not, in fact, the 17 year-old teenager he purported to be, but instead an adult named Chris Jenson. The victim continued to communicate with Jensen via the “Chris Jensen” Facebook account. In December 2018, the minor victim traveled to New Jersey to live with Jensen.

On Dec. 19, 2018, local authorities became involved in the matter causing the removal of the victim from Jensen’s residence.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Sheridan sentenced Jensen to lifetime supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents and task force officers of the FBI and the Red Bank Resident Agency’s Jersey Shore Gang and Criminal Organization Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr., with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. She also thanked the Union Beach Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Michael J. Woodrow, for its assistance with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Perry Farhat of the Government Frauds Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/monmouth-county-man-sentenced-87-months-prison-using-facebook-induce-minor-send-sexually

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Rhode Island

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Scituate Resident Admits to Possessing, Distributing Child Pornography

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Scituate man who admitted to sharing sexually explicit images of prepubescent girls with individuals he believed to be the parents of a 13-year-old girl pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.

David C. Duquette, 54, admitted to the court that in February 2019, during a series of online communications, he sent a person he believed to be the father of the girl at least two images of child pornography. The person Duquette was communicating with was, in fact, an undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent.

According to court documents, the agent, who posed as both the mother and the father of the 13-year-old girl, engaged in a series of online exchanges with Duquette. In those exchanges, Duquette admitted to them that he had, in the past, communicated online with young teenage girls and that some of them shared sexually explicit images with him. When the agent, posing as the father of the 13-year-old girl suggested he too shared an interest in viewing child pornography, Duquette sent him two sexually explicit images depicting prepubescent girls.

At the time of his arrest on April 17, 2019, HSI agents discovered approximately 1,400 images of child pornography on a cellphone belonging to Duquette.

Appearing on Monday before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Duquette pleaded guilty to charges of possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 22, 2022.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/pr/scituate-resident-admits-possessing-distributing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Kentucky

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Ohio Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Traveling for Sex with a Minor and Receipt of Child Pornography

LEXINGTON, Ky.— A Powell, Ohio, man, Syed Sheraz Ahmed, 40, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison on Monday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves, after pleading guilty to traveling for sex with a minor and receiving a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

According to Ahmed’s plea agreement, he admitting to meeting a minor in the Fall of 2015, through Facebook, using a fictitious name. Ahmed then communicated with the minor over Facebook and Snapchat; and in September 2016, he made plans to drive, from his residence in Ohio to Kentucky, to meet the minor in person. Ahmed admitted to picking up the minor from her school and taking her to a motel, where they had sexual intercourse. Later, Ahmed was stopped by police and found in possession of sexually explicit images of the minor victim.

Ahmed pleaded guilty in July 2021.

Under federal law, Ahmed must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for life.

Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Chief Rodney Richardson, Police Chief, Richmond Police Department, announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Madison County Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Greenfield.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edky/pr/ohio-man-sentenced-30-years-traveling-sex-minor-and-receipt-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Kentucky

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Frankfort Man Sentenced to 240 Months for Child Pornography, Firearm, and Explosive Offenses

FRANKFORT, Ky.— A Frankfort man, Joshua James Moore, 45, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison on Monday, by U.S. District Judge Gregory VanTatenhove, after pleading guilty to knowingly receiving a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and being a felon in possession of firearm and explosive devices.

According to Moore’s plea agreement, he admitted to knowingly receiving a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, through his computer. Specifically, Moore used the Internet to search and download as many as 15 videos and 20 pictures of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Additionally, following at least two convictions for crimes punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, Moore was in possession of three firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun, and two explosive pipe bombs. Moore admitted that he knew he was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Moore has two prior convictions, a conviction of cultivation of five or more marijuana plants, in January 2018, and a conviction for possession of methamphetamine in January 2018.

Moore pleaded guilty in May 2021.

Under federal law, Moore must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for life.

Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Office; Daniel Cameron, Kentucky Attorney General, and Sheriff Chris Quire, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office; and Lawrence Weathers, Chief of the Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by ATF, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lexington Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth and Special Assistant United States Attorney James Chapman.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edky/pr/frankfort-man-sentenced-240-months-child-pornography-firearm-and-explosive-offenses

>>15055978

>>15063211

Mission Man Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/mission-man-sentenced-sexual-abuse-minor-2

Assistant Commissioner of NYC Probation Department Sentenced to 12+ Years for Child Pornography Offenses

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/assistant-commissioner-nyc-probation-department-sentenced-12-years-child-pornography

Former Joplin Teacher Sentenced to 20 Years for Enticing a Minor for Sex

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/former-joplin-teacher-sentenced-20-years-enticing-minor-sex

Former Norwell Youth Football Coach Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-norwell-youth-football-coach-sentenced-45-years-prison-sexually-exploiting

Cortland County Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting a 3-Year-Old Child

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/cortland-county-man-sentenced-30-years-prison-sexually-exploiting-3-year-old-child

Des Moines Man Indicted on Attempted Child Exploitation, Attempted Enticement of a Minor and Related Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/des-moines-man-indicted-attempted-child-exploitation-attempted-enticement-minor-and

Twice-Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 40 Years for Creating and Trafficking in Images and Videos of Child Sexual Abuse

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/twice-convicted-sex-offender-sentenced-40-years-creating-and-trafficking-images-and

Alburgh Man Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment for Child Exploitation Offenses

https://www.justice.gov/usao-vt/pr/alburgh-man-sentenced-15-years-imprisonment-child-exploitation-offenses

Man Sentenced for Child Pornography Distribution on Pinterest

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/man-sentenced-child-pornography-distribution-pinterest

Caldwell Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-id/pr/caldwell-man-pleads-guilty-possession-child-pornography

Dansville Teacher Arrested On Multiple Child Pornography Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/dansville-teacher-arrested-multiple-child-pornography-charges

Troy Resident Charged with Distributing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/troy-resident-charged-distributing-child-pornography

Baltimore Man Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/baltimore-man-sentenced-more-seven-years-federal-prison-distribution-child-pornography

Wentworth Man Charged with Ceceipt and Distribution of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/wentworth-man-charged-ceceipt-and-distribution-child-pornography

Huntingdon Man Sentenced To 20 Years’ Imprisonment For Receiving Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/huntingdon-man-sentenced-20-years-imprisonment-receiving-child-pornography

Monmouth County Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Using Facebook to Induce Minor to Send Sexually Explicit Pictures and Videos

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/monmouth-county-man-sentenced-87-months-prison-using-facebook-induce-minor-send-sexually

Scituate Resident Admits to Possessing, Distributing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/pr/scituate-resident-admits-possessing-distributing-child-pornography

Ohio Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Traveling for Sex with a Minor and Receipt of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edky/pr/ohio-man-sentenced-30-years-traveling-sex-minor-and-receipt-child-pornography

Frankfort Man Sentenced to 240 Months for Child Pornography, Firearm, and Explosive Offenses

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edky/pr/frankfort-man-sentenced-240-months-child-pornography-firearm-and-explosive-offenses

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Connecticut

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

East Windsor Man Charged with Recording Sexual Abuse of Minor, Other Child Exploitation Offenses

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MARK ROMAN, 53, of East Windsor, was arrested yesterday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with production of child pornography and transportation of child pornography.

Following his arrest, Roman appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and is detained pending a detention hearing that is scheduled for December 8.

As alleged in the complaint, law enforcement began investigating Roman after Yahoo! reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that Roman’s email account was transmitting images of child sexual abuse. Investigators determined that Roman’s email account also contained voyeuristic images and videos of naked children that appeared to be homemade. On November 2, 2021, the Connecticut State Police and East Windsor Police Department executed a state search warrant at Roman’s residence and seized Roman’s iPhone, laptop and computer storage devices. Preliminary analysis of the seized items has revealed approximately 3,000 images and videos of child pornography, including images and videos of Roman sexually abusing a girl who was between the ages of six and eight, and numerous voyeuristic videos that Roman secretly took of the minor victim and another minor female who was between the ages of two and four.

The charge of production of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and the charge of transportation of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that a criminal complaint is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the East Windsor Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle thanked the Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/east-windsor-man-charged-recording-sexual-abuse-minor-other-child-exploitation-offenses

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Appleton Man Sentenced to 13 Years In Federal Prison for Child Enticement

Acting United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on November 29, 2021, Neil A. Frank (age: 36) of Appleton, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 156 months in federal prison for seeking to entice a child into having sexual intercourse.

According to court records, in May 2020, Frank began using a popular social media site to communicate with a 15-year-old located in Appleton. During these interactions, Frank requested graphic digital images and expressed his desire to have sexual intercourse with the child. On May 18, 2020, after Frank drove to the apartment complex where he believed the child lived, he was arrested by an undercover police officer with the Fox Valley Metro Police Department.

At the time of his arrest, Frank was a registered sex offender in the State of Wisconsin due to a prior conviction for attempted possession of child pornography in Outagamie County in 2012.

At sentencing, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach noted the serious nature of the charge, Frank’s prior record, and the need for just punishment. Following his release from prison, Frank will spend five years on supervised release. He will continue to be required to register as a sexual offender.

This case was investigated by the Fox Valley Metro Police Department with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/pr/appleton-man-sentenced-13-years-federal-prison-child-enticement

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Georgia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Macon Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting Children He Met Online

MACON, Ga. – A Macon resident convicted of child sexual exploitation for coercing multiple juveniles to send him sexually explicit and pornographic images and videos of themselves was sentenced to serve 18 years in prison for his crimes.

Deon M. Moore, 37, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 216 months in prison to be followed by life on supervised release by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell today after he previously pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child. In addition, Moore was ordered to pay restitution to one of the victims in the amount of $2,000 and he will have to register as a sex offender for life upon his release from federal prison. There is no parole.

“Deon Moore initiated conversation threads with more than 1,300 Facebook users in an aggressive effort that ultimately led to the sexual exploitation of minors as young as 10-years-old,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “This office and our law enforcement partners will continue to do everything in our power to protect young people from child predators by tracking them down and holding them accountable for their crimes.”

“Moore thought he could hide behind a computer to con and exploit underage girls, but that will not stop the FBI and our partners from pursuing and putting away child predators like him,” said Alex Santiago, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Online predators are unfortunately all too common, and we want to remind the public to be vigilant about who they are interacting with online and encourage children to use privacy settings that restrict access to their online profiles.”

According to court documents, the investigation was begun by the Fairborn, Ohio, Police Department (FOPD) on May 21, 2017, after the agency was contacted by the mother of a 12-year-old female victim, who had been communicating with Moore on Facebook and by text messages. Moore sent nude photos and requested to meet with the victim. Investigators discovered that Moore had changed his Facebook name to “Nathaniel Ellis,” and that he had numerous Facebook friends who appeared to be teenage females. The FBI and FOPD detectives determined that Moore used Facebook to find victims, using the false identities of Sharod King, Nathaniel Ellis, Jazmine Ellis and Sharde Carter. He sometimes represented himself to be a female and between the ages of teens to 30s, depending on the targeted victim. Moore was seeking young, black female girls, and Facebook transcripts indicate that he would ask them their ages. His victims ranged in age from 10 to 16, and he knew they were minors. Moore’s victims were from multiple states, and he would discuss sex in explicit terms with his victims and would request that they send him nude pictures of their breasts and genitalia. To coerce and induce victims to send sexually explicit pictures and videos of themselves, Moore would send them explicit pictures and videos.

Investigators discovered that a 10-year-old girl in the fourth grade began communicating with Moore on Facebook in May 2018. Moore represented himself to be a 14-year-old female living in Atlanta, and sent fictitious photos of himself, posing as female. He asked the 10-year-old victim to send pictures, which she did. Moore then asked the child victim for an explicit video, and he sent her a video to demonstrate what he was looking for her to send. The 10-year-old victim then sent him three explicit videos of herself.

During the time and scope of this investigation, Moore began conversation threads with a total of 1,306 individuals on Facebook, engaging 80 people in sustained conversations, 30 of which were juveniles. Four of these juveniles sent child pornography to Moore, and others sent explicit photographs of themselves, such as pictures of their breasts. Almost all of these victims received explicit sexual material from Moore, which he sent to induce, coerce and “educate” them.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Fairborn, Ohio, Police Department (FOPD).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul McCommon prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/macon-man-sentenced-18-years-prison-sexually-exploiting-children-he-met-online

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

40-Year Federal Prison Sentence for South Florida Man Who Exploited Children

Miami, Florida – Today, U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith handed down a 40-year federal prison sentence for Breshawn Hamilton, a 21-year-old Fort Lauderdale man who produced and possessed sexual abuse material of children, coerced minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct, and engaged in sextortion.

From October 2019 through November 2020, defendant Breshawn Hamilton used social networking platforms to meet and communicate with at least seven minor females between the ages of 11 and 15. During chats, Hamilton misrepresented his age, often pretending to be younger than he actually was in order to gain the minors’ trust. He would convince the minors to send him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves. After obtaining the images and videos in question, Hamilton threatened to disseminate them unless the minors agreed to meet him for sexual intercourse or continue to provide him with additional videos and images. Even after the victims complied, Hamilton nevertheless disseminated the videos and images. Law enforcement confirmed that Hamilton met with some of the minor victims who resided in the Fort Lauderdale area in person and raped them, often in their own homes. At times, Hamilton recorded himself having sex with the minors and sold those videos to others.

On August 17, 2021, Hamilton pled guilty to two counts of coercing a minor, four counts of production of child pornography, three counts of sending interstate extortionate threats, and one count of possession of child pornography.

U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez of the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), announced the sentence.

“Those who exploit children are the worst of criminals and today’s sentence reflects that,” said U.S. Attorney Gonzalez. “Our Office is committed to protecting our precious children. We will use every available federal resource to investigate and prosecute these abhorrent crimes.”

“Today’s 40-year sentence sends a clear message to those looking to exploit and victimize our children. We will spare no resource to find you and ensure your prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” said HSI Miami SAC Salisbury. “HSI and its partner law enforcement agencies are committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and will always be there to protect these innocent victims and put these predators behind bars.”

Anyone with additional information about this crime or potential victims is asked to call 866-347-2423.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Fort Lauderdale investigated the case with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Broward Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit, and the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

Assistant United States Attorney Ajay Alexander prosecuted this case.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 21-cr-60144.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/40-year-federal-prison-sentence-south-florida-man-who-exploited-children

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Fugitive Sex Offender Found in Washington, NC Sentenced for Failing to Register

RALEIGH, N.C. – A New Jersey man who was on the run for almost two years was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

According to court documents, Gregory Dennis Dayton, 49, was charged with one count of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2250. Dayton pled guilty on August 30, 2021.

In 1998, Dayton was convicted of Endangering the Welfare of a Child in New Jersey after impregnating a minor. Dayton’s sentence included a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender. Dayton has a lengthy criminal history with numerous prior felony convictions, including two prior convictions for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender. Dayton last registered in New Jersey in September 2018 and fled the area sometime after, resulting in a May 2019 arrest warrant. The U.S. Marshals Service (“USMS”) Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) received the case on November 16, 2020 and apprehended Dayton the next day, in Washington, NC, where Dayton was living with a girlfriend and her minor daughter. In open court, the government explained that, while in custody, Dayton admitted that, if released, he could not return to the residence because of the minor daughter. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, New Jersey declined to extradite Dayton and, as a result, he was released and went right back to living with his girlfriend and the minor daughter while continuing to ignore his requirement to register as a sex offender. Dayton was arrested on the federal charges in April 2021.

Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The U.S. Marshals Service, Eastern District of North Carolina, Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Stephany prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:21-CR-00025-D.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/fugitive-sex-offender-found-washington-nc-sentenced-failing-register

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Mississippi

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Carriere Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Video of a Minor Engaging in Sexually Explicit Conduct

Gulfport, Miss. – A Carriere, Mississippi man pled guilty to producing a video of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.

According to court documents, Joshua Christopher Stockstill, 29, enticed a minor child to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct with his cellphone camera in Pearl River County in November of 2018. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) became aware of the video and other images. On July 14, 2021, with the assistance of NCMEC, the FBI in Gulfport identified then Picayune Police Sergeant Joshua Christopher Stockstill as the producer of the video.

Stockstill is scheduled to be sentenced on February 24, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. in Gulfport, and faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, and a maximum $250,000 fine. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case with the assistance of the Mississippi Attorney General’s Cyber Crimes Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones is prosecuting the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/carriere-man-pleads-guilty-producing-video-minor-engaging-sexually-explicit-conduct

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Missouri

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

KC Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Child Pornography

Solicited Pornographic Images from Several Child Victims

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for soliciting images and videos of child pornography from several child victims and others online.

Charles Ray Sheppard, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 17 years and six months in federal prison without parole.

On July 8, 2021, Sheppard pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography over the internet and one count of possessing child pornography.

Sheppard admitted that he engaged in sexual contact with a 5-or-6-year-old child victim when he was 18 or 19 years old, then reconnected with the child victim through the Facebook Messenger application in 2017, when the child victim was 13 years old. Sheppard and the child victim exchanged pornographic photos during their online conversations.

Investigators seized two cell phones from Sheppard, one of which also contained several conversations between Sheppard and another Kik user in which Sheppard requested and received images and videos of child pornography of unknown minor children. Investigators discovered 38 photos and two videos of child pornography within the cell phone’s Kik communications.

Sheppard also sent multiple nude images of himself to a 14-year-old child victim. Sheppard also admitted that he performed live sexual acts with a 13-year-old child victim on the Kik application.

When Sheppard was arrested on June 9, 2020, he possessed a third cell phone that contained child pornography.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Luna. It was investigated by the FBI.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/kc-man-sentenced-17-years-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Baytown man gets 60 years for sexually-exploiting children

HOUSTON – A 30-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison on multiple counts involving child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Andrew Blake Delacruz pleaded guilty May 6 to three counts of sexual exploitation of children as well as possession and distribution of child pornography.

Today, U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett ordered him to serve a total of 720 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard victim statements explaining how Delacruz detrimentally impacted their lives and were seeking justice.

In handing down the sentence, Judge Bennett noted Delacruz’s egregious conduct in his victimization of three minors, one of whom had a mild mental disability.

Delacruz came to the attention of law enforcement after he sent images of child pornography of a minor female relative through an online chat group which was dedicated to the sexual exploitation of children.

On July 17, 2020, authorities executed a search warrant at his residence and seized his cellphones. At that time, they located a young female victim who reported that Delacruz had been sexually abusing her and would take pictures.

A forensic examination resulted in the discovery of seven videos and 41 images of that victim which showed oral and anal penetration. Law enforcement also found two other young victims of whom Delacruz had also produced child pornography.

One of those victims was only nine years of age at the time of the abuse. She reported that Delacruz would rub her thighs, buttocks and vaginal area and that he would perform oral sex on her. She also described how he would rub his penis on her vagina and attempted to vaginally penetrate her.

In addition, there were six images of child pornography of one of her friends. Delacruz has his penis exposed in the foreground of some of the images. In others, Delacruz’s hand is seen pulling down her pants and underwear, exposing her buttocks.

In addition to the child pornography Delacruz created of these minor victims, authorities also found 50 videos and seven images of other child pornography Delacruz had in his collection.

Delacruz has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The FBI conducted the investigation.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/baytown-man-gets-60-years-sexually-exploiting-children

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Access with Intent to View Child Pornography

Defendant Possessed and Shared Videos Depicting the Sexual Abuse of Prepubescent Children via a Peer-to-Peer Network

Baltimore, Maryland - William Carl Eikenberg, Jr., age 31, of Edgewater, Maryland pleaded guilty yesterday to access with intent to view child pornography.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Anne Arundel County Police Chief Amal E. Awad.

Eikenberg previously entered a guilty plea to distribution of child pornography in the Circuit Court of Maryland for Anne Arundel County in August 2016. Eikenberg admitted that he used BitTorrent through a personal cell phone to download and trade child pornography. BitTorrent is a communication protocol for peer-to-peer file sharing network that enables users to distribute electronic files over the internet. Eikenberg served 114 days in jail and was placed on five years of supervised probation. As a result of his conviction, Eikenberg was required to register as a sex offender.

According to his guilty plea, between April 2017 and September 2017, Eikenberg knowingly possessed and accessed with intent to view child pornography, including content depicting the exploitation of prepubescent minors being used to engage in sexual conduct. These visual depictions included at least 94 video files and 80 images of child pornography. Eikenberg admitted that he knew the production of the depictions involved minors engaged in sexual activity.

As part of his investigation, on July 3, 2017, and September 3, 2017, an Anne Arundel County Police Department (AAPD) detective identified several known electronic files of child pornography being shared by an IP address assigned to Eikenberg’s Edgewater, Maryland address. These files included a 21-minute video that portrayed a prepubescent female engaged in sexual activity with an adult male and several other shorter videos that also depicted the sexual abuse of minors.

Further, on September 6, 2017, AAPD learned that Eikenberg had stopped attending sex offender treatment and fled from probation supervision. On September 22, 2017, Eikenberg ran out the backdoor of his residence and attempted to evade authorities as AAPD officers and Eikenberg’s probation officer approached his residence for a home visit. Eikenberg was later apprehended, taken into custody, and transported to an AAPD station.

In a subsequent voluntary interview, Eikenberg stated that he used the BitTorrent network to view child pornography between April and September 2017.

Eikenberg and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Eikenberg will be sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for January 20, 2022 at 11 a.m.

United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, Anne Arundel County Police Department, the Maryland State Police Department, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. Maddox and Abigail E. Ticse, who are prosecuting the federal case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey J. Izant, for his work in the prosecution of the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/sex-offender-pleads-guilty-access-intent-view-child-pornography

>>15056007

>Upcoming Project Safe Childhood Trials/Sentencing

Jury Convicts Recidivist Defendant of Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/jury-convicts-recidivist-defendant-possessing-child-pornography

Branford Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Sex Abuse Images

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/branford-sex-offender-pleads-guilty-possessing-child-sex-abuse-images

Erie Man Pleads to Child Sexual Exploitation Charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/erie-man-pleads-child-sexual-exploitation-charge

“Grizzly Scouts” Members Conspired to Thwart Investigation into the Murder of a Protective Security Officer and the Shooting of Another; One Defendant Also Pleads to Enticing a 15-Year-Old Girl to Produce Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/four-militia-group-members-plead-guilty-obstruction-justice-conspiracy

District Heights Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges for the Sexual Abuse of a Two-Year-Old and a Seven-Year-Old Child In Order To Produce Images of the Abuse

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/district-heights-man-pleads-guilty-federal-charges-sexual-abuse-two-year-old-and-seven

Richmond Man Pleads Guilty To Producing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/richmond-man-pleads-guilty-producing-child-pornography

ongoing prosecution of 19 defendants eight indictments, for the sex trafficking of at least 20 minor girls and young adults in New York State’s social services system.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/sean-merchant-aka-bronxwood-sentenced-more-16-years-prison-sex-trafficking-minors

Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling to the Binghamton Area Intending to Engage in Sexual Conduct with Two Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/pennsylvania-man-pleads-guilty-traveling-binghamton-area-intending-engage-sexual

Federal Jury Convicts South Bay Man Of Child Pornography And Child Enticement Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/federal-jury-convicts-south-bay-man-child-pornography-and-child-enticement-charges

Amsterdam Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/amsterdam-man-pleads-guilty-child-pornography-charges-0

Fayette County Woman Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Trafficking Charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/fayette-county-woman-pleads-guilty-child-sex-trafficking-charge

Mason County Contract Mail Carrier pleads guilty to vehicle smuggling scheme

Also admits possessing child pornography discovered in smuggling investigation

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/mason-county-contract-mail-carrier-pleads-guilty-vehicle-smuggling-scheme

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Wisconsin Rapids Man Sentenced to 6 Years for Distributing Child Pornography

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Benjamin T. Mann, 40, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 6 years in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for distributing child pornography. Mann pleaded guilty to this charge on September 9, 2021.

In July 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a home in Ohio. In reviewing devices found during the search, they discovered that Mann sent the Ohio resident child pornography and communicated with him about sexually assaulting children. In addition, the investigation revealed that Mann posted images of child pornography and discussed assaulting children in Kik chat rooms with that resident and others.

Judge Peterson said that the discussions about sexually assaulting children were an aggravating factor and that the sentence imposed would protect the community for approximately 20 years.

The charge against Mann was the result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal of Investigation, and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman prosecuted this case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/wisconsin-rapids-man-sentenced-6-years-distributing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of New Jersey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Union County Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Receipt of Child Pornography

NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 70 months in prison for receiving images of child sexual abuse, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Joseph Hinksmon, 42, of Cranford, New Jersey, previously pleaded by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to one count of an indictment charging him with receipt of child pornography. Judge Cecchi imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From July 10, 2019, through July 24, 2019, Hinksmon accessed the internet to download and receive videos and images of child sexual abuse to his personal hard drive. Hinksmon’s computer devices contained more than 600 images of child sexual abuse that Hinksmon had downloaded from the internet, including images of prepubescent children.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Cecchi sentenced Hinksmon to 10 years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $75,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey E. Zyriek Enriquez of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/union-county-man-sentenced-70-months-prison-receipt-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Man Sentenced for Receipt of Child Pornography

A Tulsa man who possessed more than 600 images of child pornography was sentenced in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Matthew Steven Janson, 38, to seven years in federal prison followed by seven years of supervised release.

“Matthew Janson accessed and viewed hundreds of images of children being sexually abused,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “The demand for child pornography feeds an illicit industry that preys on the most vulnerable members of society. The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains relentless in its pursuit of those who produce and seek out depictions of child sexual abuse.”

Janson pleaded guilty in June after he knowingly used the internet to receive child pornography from April 18, 2016 to May 25, 2016.

According to the plea agreement, Janson admitted to possessing at least 600 images of child sexual abuse including the abuse of prepubescent minors who had not attained 12 years of age. The materials were possessed and knowingly accessed via Janson’s computer and within the Muscogee Nation Reservation.

Janson is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Janson’s state conviction was vacated due to the Supreme Court’s ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma. He previously pleaded guilty in state court in 2017 and was sentenced to 10 years with 5 years of that time suspended.

The Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements’ Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cymetra M. Williams prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/man-sentenced-receipt-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Sturgis Man Sentenced for Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Sturgis, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography was sentenced on November 22, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken.

William Nicholas Riley, age 61, was sentenced to six years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and a $5,000 special assessment to the Victims of Trafficking Fund. Riley will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Riley was arrested and federally indicted as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, targeting internet predators. Riley initiated sexual chats and sought images of child pornography from a person he believed to be a 15-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover agent. Riley then negotiated a time and place he would meet the minor to engage in unlawful sex acts. When Riley went to the pre-determined location to meet the minor, he was met by law enforcement and placed under arrest.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

Riley was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/sturgis-man-sentenced-attempted-receipt-child-pornography-1

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Clark Man Sentenced for Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Clark, South Dakota, man convicted of Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography was sentenced on November 29, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

The Defendant, Anthony Dialo Holmes, age 37, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Anthony Holmes was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 17, 2020. He pled guilty on August 31, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between on or about September 1, 2019, and May 22, 2020, when Anthony Holmes knowingly received and distributed child pornography. He used his Kik Messenger social media account to send and receive files depicting the minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

Anthony Holmes was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/clark-man-sentenced-receipt-and-distribution-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

South Dakota Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

John Burgess Bad Hand, age 37, was indicted on November 9, 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on November 30, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to ten years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that Bad Hand, a person required to register as a sex offender by reason of conviction under federal law, knowingly failed to register and update his registration between September 15, 2021, and October 21, 2021, while living in Upper Cut Meat, South Dakota.

The charge is merely an accusation and Bad Hand is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler is prosecuting the case.

Bad Hand was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/south-dakota-man-indicted-failure-register-sex-offender-0

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

New Bedford Man Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges

BOSTON – A New Bedford man was arrested yesterday in connection with receiving and possessing child pornography.

Robert David Austin, 41, was charged with receipt and possession of child pornography. Following an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal, Austin was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for today at 3 p.m.

According to the charging documents, Austin engaged in a number of groups on a messenger application through which child pornography is disseminated. On Nov. 3, 2021, a search of Austin’s residence revealed child pornography on his cell phone. Further analysis of Austin’s phone identified the messaging application through which Austin engaged in the dissemination of child pornography.

The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Mackenzie Duane of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/new-bedford-man-arrested-child-exploitation-charges

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Kentucky

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Louisville Man Sentenced to 32 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation Crimes

LOUISVILLE, KY – A Louisville man was sentenced on Monday to 32 years in prison followed by a life term of Supervised Release for production, attempted production, distribution, and possession of child pornography. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, in 2017 and 2019, Shaun Douglas Dickson, 26, engaged in conversations with children on the Internet while posing as both an 11-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy. During these conversations, Dickson sent images of child pornography to children he met online, including young girls in Greece and Australia that he attempted to and successfully induced and coerced into creating images of sexually explicit conduct to send to him. Dickson further threatened a child that he would distribute the images of child pornography he had produced of her to her friends and family if she did not send him additional images, and then subsequently distributed those images to other children. After a search warrant was conducted at his residence in 2019, Dickson was also found to be in possession of over 1,200 images and videos of child pornography.

“The outstanding effort of the investigators and prosecutors assigned to the case ended the activities of a sexual predator who exploited children internationally,” stated United States Attorney Michael A. Bennett. “I commend the work and partnership of Attorney General Cameron’s office and HSI Nashville.”

“Thanks to the partnership between our Cyber Crimes Unit, HSI, and U.S. Attorney Bennett’s team, we were able to stop this criminal from continuing to exploit children online,” said Attorney General Cameron. “Our children deserve childhoods free from exploitation, abuse, and neglect, and collaboration among law enforcement agencies through initiatives like Project Safe Childhood are essential to protecting our youngest.”

“HSI agents make it a top priority to protect vulnerable children who become victims of online sexual predators,” said HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Jerry C. Templet, Jr. “The investigative efforts of our agents in this case, working with the Kentucky State Attorney General’s office, ensured that this offender will pay for his inexcusable acts with a lengthy stay in federal prison.”

The Office of the Kentucky Attorney General and the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia Gomez and Stephanie Zimdahl prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdky/pr/louisville-man-sentenced-32-years-federal-prison-child-exploitation-crimes

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Miramar Man is Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for an On-Line Child Exploitation Scheme to Produce Child Pornography

Miami, Florida – A federal district judge in Fort Lauderdale has sentenced Andres Camilo Ruiz, 31, of Miramar, Florida, to 40 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release as a sexual offender, for production of child pornography, enticement of a minor, and possession and distribution of child pornography. Ruiz was also ordered to pay restitution to his victims.

Beginning in November of 2018 and continuing through May 14, 2019, Ruiz pretended to be a 12-year-old child named “June” on social media platforms where he met other children throughout the country and tricked and coerced them into creating sexually explicit videos. Ruiz would befriend these children on social media using web-based applications. While pretending to be a child himself, Ruiz would prey upon the unsuspecting child victims by sending them sexually explicit videos of other children and encouraging them to perform the same sexual conduct, record it and send it back to him. Ruiz exploited over 50 children. The youngest child who was coerced by Ruiz into making a sexually explicit video of herself was only nine years old. When Ruiz was arrested, law enforcement found an extensive collection of child pornography on his cell phone and in his cloud account: over 1100 images and videos including images of children engaged in sadomasochistic acts.

Juan Antonio Gonzalez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami, announced the sentence imposed by United States District Judge Roy K. Altman.

FBI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jodi L. Anton and Francis Viamontes prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case no. 19-cr-060223.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/miramar-man-sentenced-40-years-prison-line-child-exploitation-scheme-produce-child

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health

https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2021/19-1392

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Soccer coach admits to producing child pornography

McALLEN, Texas – A former McAllen youth league coach who illegally resided in Pharr has entered a guilty plea to sexual exploitation of children, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

From March 2020 through June 2021, Oscar Hinojosa communicated and cultivated a relationship with a 15-year-old minor.

Hinojosa was the victim’s soccer coach. Over time, Hinojosa told her he loved her and expressed his sexual desire for her. During their communications, Hinojosa instructed the minor victim to send a sexually-explicit photo of her genitalia in a specific pose. She ultimately did as requested on this occasion and others.

While communicating with this victim, Hinojosa also attempted to cultivate a similar relationship to another one of the minor females on his soccer team. While he was unsuccessful, he expressed his love for her as well.

Hinojosa is not a citizen of the United States does not have legal status to reside here.

Mission Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

U.S. District Judge Alvarez accepted the plea and set sentencing for March 18, 2022. At that time, Hinojosa faces up to 30 years in federal prison.

He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colton T. Turner is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/soccer-coach-admits-producing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of West Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

McDowell County Woman Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offense

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A McDowell County woman plead guilty today to a child pornography offense.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Lacosta Steele, 25, of Iaeger, admitted that in October and November 2020 she persuaded a 12-year-old girl to engage in sexually explicit conduct, including masturbation and the lascivious exhibition of her genitals, for the purpose of creating videos of this conduct. Steele admitted that she then sent those images to her then-boyfriend using her cell phone. Steele also admitted that during this same time frame she transported the same 12-year-old girl to R.D. Bailey Lake, where her then-boyfriend engaged in sexual intercourse with the child.

Steele pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography and faces at least five and up to 20 years in prison when she is sentenced on April 4, 2022.

“I want to thank the West Virginia State Police and Homeland Security Investigations for their partnership in making sure that this defendant was held accountable for her heinous crime against a vulnerable child,” said United States Attorney Will Thompson.

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is handling the prosecution.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/mcdowell-county-woman-pleads-guilty-child-pornography-offense

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Wyoming County Man Going To Prison For Attempting To Have Sex With 11-Year Old Girl

CONTACT: Barbara Burns

PHONE: (716) 843-5817

FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Daniel Hays, 42, of Bliss, NY, who was convicted of attempted receipt of child pornography, was sentenced to serve five years in prison and 10 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Rossi, who handled the case, stated that during April and May of 2021, Hays engaged in sexually explicit online and text communications with an individual who he believed to be an 11-year-old girl. In reality, the child was an undercover New York State Police Investigator working with the Department of Homeland Security. During the conversations, Hays discussed having sex with the child, and asked the child to produce and send to him naked photographs. On May 11, 2021, Hays traveled approximately two hours from Bliss to the child’s home in the Western District of New York, in order to have sex with the child. Hays was arrested upon his arrival at the meeting place, at which point he was found to be in possession of candy that he purchased as a gift for the child.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/wyoming-county-man-going-prison-attempting-have-sex-11-year-old-girl

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Batavia Man Previously Convicted Of Possessing Child Pornography Is Going Back To Prison

CONTACT: Barbara Burns

PHONE: (716) 843-5817

FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Matthew Barber, 53, of Batavia, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography and violating supervised release, was sentenced to serve 147 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron J. Mango and Michael DiGiacomo, who handled the case, stated that in April 2007, Barber was convicted on a federal charge of possessing child pornography and sentenced to serve 74 months in prison and five years’ supervised release. Barber’s supervised release was revoked on July 5, 2017, after he was unsuccessfully discharged from sex offender treatment. As a result of this violation, Barber was sentenced to six months in prison and five years of supervised release.

On May 20, 2020, Barber was found in possession of and using a cell phone and a USB device to view child pornography. A forensic examination of the cell phone and USB device recovered over 1,000 images and 200 videos of child pornography on the two devices. Barber was subsequently charged and convicted of possession of child pornography.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould; the Batavia Police Department, under the direction of Chief Shawn Heubusch; and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, under the direction of Acting Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/batavia-man-previously-convicted-possessing-child-pornography-going-back-prison

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Columbia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

District Clergy Member Found Guilty of Misdemeanor Sexual Abuse of Adult Parishioner

Defendant Earlier Convicted of Felony Child Sexual Abuse Charges Involving Two Child Parishioners

WASHINGTON – Urbano Vazquez, 49, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty yesterday of sexually abusing an adult woman while he was employed as a priest in Northwest Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Vazquez was found guilty of one count of misdemeanor sexual abuse. The Honorable Juliet McKenna returned the verdict following a one-day trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The case proceeded immediately to sentencing and, after hearing a victim impact statement, Judge McKenna sentenced the defendant to 180 days of incarceration, the maximum sentence. The time is to be served consecutive to the 15-year sentence he is already serving on four felony counts of child sexual abuse, of which he was convicted in 2019.

The government’s evidence established that in approximately April 2017, during a confession in a room in the parish rectory building at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart, in Northwest Washington, Vazquez twice touched the adult parishioner’s breast, over her sweater, without her consent. He had previously made comments about her appearance and marital status. Following the assault, the adult parishioner immediately disclosed what happened to her mother, who encouraged her to stay away from Vazquez. In 2018, when reports came out that the defendant was accused of sexually molesting child parishioners, the woman disclosed the abuse to another priest at the church who notified law enforcement.

Vazquez was indicted on this charge when he was indicted on the child sexual abuse counts. The cases involving the child victims and the adult proceeded separately. In August 2019, a jury found Vazquez guilty of committing four counts of child sexual abuse against two children in his parish from 2015 to 2017. He was sentenced in that case to 15 years in prison.

In announcing the verdict and sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department and the Department of Forensic Sciences Leica Team. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Supervisory Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling, Victim/Witness Program Specialist Lezlie Richardson, former Victim/Witness Program Specialist Juanita Harris, and intern David Offit. They expressed appreciation for the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen Houck and Sharon Marcus-Kurn, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Williams, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

*

In October 2018, the Superior Court Division’s Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Section and the Victim Witness Assistance Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia launched a hotline and e-mail address for survivors to report child sexual abuse by clergy.

Survivors of sexual abuse by a clergy member that took place in a house of worship, school, or other location in the District of Columbia can call the Clergy Abuse English and Spanish Reporting Line at 202-252-7008 or send an e-mail to USADC.ReportClergyAbuse@usdoj.gov.

Survivors can access further information by visiting the following website: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/victim-witness-assistance/report-clergy- abuse.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/district-clergy-member-found-guilty-misdemeanor-sexual-abuse-adult-parishioner

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Indiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Indianapolis Man Sentenced to 60 Years in Federal Prison Following Law Enforcement Officer’s Rescue of Young Children He Sexually Abused

INDIANAPOLIS – An Indianapolis, Indiana man was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting two young children in his care and creating and distributing images of the abuse over the internet.

This investigation began when Donald Robert Richards, III, 32, began communicating with an undercover agent in an online chatroom. On multiple occasions during the chats, Richards uploaded images depicting the sexual abuse of two young female children. Richards went on to explain his familial relationship with the children and describe his sexual conduct with the girls.

The undercover agent was able to ascertain Richards’s identity, and eventually, with the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (“ICAC”) Task Force, investigators were able to determine Richards’s location in Indianapolis.

That same day, the Indiana ICAC Task Force assembled to obtain and execute a search warrant at Richards’s location to rescue the two children. Law enforcement officers removed the children from harm’s way, gathered evidence of Richards’s crimes, and arrested Richards.

Digital evidence showed that Richards had repeatedly sexually exploited the children, who were both under six years old, and on multiple occasions had filmed the abuse. Further, the evidence showed, consistent with the undercover’s interactions, that Richards shared the child sexual abuse material he created with others over the Internet.

Richards pleaded guilty to charges of sexual exploitation of a child and charges of distribution of a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

“For a child, her home and a family member’s arms should be the safest places in the world,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “But the hands and home of Donald Robert Richards III were the most perilous places for our young victims to be, because Richards’s home was the site of protracted sexual exploitation and the only weapon he ever needed was opportunity. Had Richards not been so brazen as to record his crimes and to distribute the images, no one would have known what the victims suffered. We are grateful to the Indiana ICAC for their efforts to bring these girls out of the dark silence of Richards’ abuse.”

According to Assistant United States Attorney Kristina M. Korobov, who prosecuted the case, Richards was ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution and will be federally supervised for a life term following his release from prison.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/indianapolis-man-sentenced-60-years-federal-prison-following-law-enforcement-officer-s

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Montana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Great Falls man sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually exploiting minor girl in Pennsylvania

GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man who admitted to inducing a minor girl in Pennsylvania to send him sexually explicit photographs of herself was sentenced today to 25 years in prison to be followed by 20 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Andrew Donovan Carter, 29, pleaded guilty in August to sexual exploitation of a child.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris also ordered $6,000 restitution to known victims.

The government alleged in court documents that in August 2020, a Pennsylvania law enforcement agency contacted Carter’s state probation officer regarding Carter using social media to engage in sexually explicit communications with a 14-year-old girl. The probation officer requested assistance from the Great Falls Police Department, which is a member of the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICACTF). The girl told investigators that she met a boy she believed to be was 16 years old, communicated with him online and that he asked her to send him nude pictures of herself. The supposed 16-year-old boy was Carter. The girl took sexually explicit photographs of herself and sent them to Carter using a cell phone. Carter communicated with the 14-year-old girl for about a year and texted her almost daily, requesting sexually explicit images of the girl. While interviewing Carter, agents learned that he was having similar communications with another child who was about 10 years old.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Great Falls Police Department and Montana Department of Corrections’ Probation and Parole.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/great-falls-man-sentenced-25-years-prison-sexually-exploiting-minor-girl-pennsylvania

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Upton Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

BOSTON – An Upton man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Worcester to possessing child pornography.

Matthew Stefanelli, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman who scheduled sentencing for March 18, 2022. Stefanelli was arrested and charged on July 14, 2021.

In December 2020, a CyberTip report identified Stefanelli as the owner of an account used to store child pornography. On Jan. 6, 2021, a search of Stefanelli’s residence resulted in the seizure of several electronic devices including Stefanelli’s cell phone. A forensic review of the phone revealed approximately 33 image files depicting child pornography, including the child identified in the CyberTip report. Stefanelli stored these images in an encrypted application designed to appear as a calculator.

The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Upton Police Chief Michael J. Bradley Jr. made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of Mendell’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/upton-man-pleads-guilty-possession-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Tampa Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Obscene Material and Letters to a Western PA Minor

PITTSBURGH - A Florida resident pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of transferring obscene material to a minor, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

Robert Fike, age 50, of Tampa, Florida, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in January of 2019 and in February of 2019, Fike sent packages to a minor female residing in the Western District of Pennsylvania. The packages contained obscene material—socks or leggings with Fike’s semen, as confirmed by laboratory testing and letters addressed to Minor A with graphic, sexually explicit content.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 5, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the Court ordered that the defendant remain detained.

Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and the Penn Township Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Fike.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/tampa-man-pleads-guilty-sending-obscene-material-and-letters-western-pa-minor

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Georgia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Burke County man sentenced to prison for possession of child pornography

Case represents defendant's second conviction

AUGUSTA, GA: A Burke County man has been sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison for possessing hundreds of images of child pornography.

William Voss, 38, of Waynesboro, Ga., was sentenced to 121 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of Child Pornography, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Voss to register as a sex offender, and to serve 25 years of supervised release after completion of his prison sentence.

There is no parole in the federal system.

“In coordination with our law enforcement partners, our office will continue to relentlessly protect our most vulnerable citizens,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “Predators like Voss will be identified and held accountable for their crimes.”

As described in court documents and testimony, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) agents were alerted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in May 2020 to contraband images identified as originating from Voss’ Burke County residence. A subsequent search of devices seized from the home found hundreds of images of child pornography.

Voss previously received a dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Navy after being court-martialed for possessing child pornography.

“The GBI will continue to work tirelessly to protect innocent child victims of online exploitation,” said GBI Director Vic Reynolds. “We are grateful for the relationships we maintain with our local and federal partners to bring these offenders to justice.”

The case was investigated by the GBI and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Tara M. Lyons.

Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdga/pr/burke-county-man-sentenced-prison-possession-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Mississippi

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Wiggins Man Pleads Guilty to Transportation of Child Pornography

Hattiesburg, Miss. – A Wiggins man pled guilty to transporting visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.

According to court documents, Charles Ezekiel Spangler, 38, was identified by the FBI when they received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that he uploaded pictures of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct via the internet to his Tumblr account in June of 2018.

Spangler is scheduled to be sentenced on March 8, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. in Hattiesburg, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case with the assistance of the Mississippi Attorney General’s Cyber Crimes Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones is prosecuting the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/wiggins-man-pleads-guilty-transportation-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Illinois

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Suburban Chicago Woman Charged in Federal Court in Connection With Alleged Child Sex Trafficking

CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago woman has been arrested after she allegedly arranged for a child to engage in commercial sex acts with customers at hotels.

JAMARI HODGE, also known as “Hypnotic” and “Miracle,” 26, of Calumet City, Ill., is charged with one count of producing child pornography. Hodge was arrested Wednesday. A detention hearing is scheduled for Dec. 6, 2021, at 12:30 p.m., before U.S. District Judge Beth W. Jantz.

The charge and arrest were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lansing, Ill., Police Department, Calumet City, Ill., Police Department, and Richton Park, Ill., Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shy Jackson.

According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, Hodge took sexually explicit photographs of the victim and posted them in online advertisements offering commercial sex, the complaint states. Hodge then rented hotel rooms in Illinois that were used for encounters with individuals who responded to the advertisements, the complaint states. Hodge allegedly set the prices and had the customers pay her in cash or electronic transfer after the encounters.

Production of child pornography is punishable by a statutory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by logging on to www.missingkids.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/suburban-chicago-woman-charged-federal-court-connection-alleged-child-sex-trafficking

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of West Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Ohio County man admits to child pornography charge

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Zachary Musilli, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to a child pornography charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Musilli, 26, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” Musilli admitted to having child pornography with some depicting children under the age of 12 in March 2021 in Ohio County.

Musilli faces up to 20 years of incarceration and fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI, the West Virginia Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, and the Wheeling Police Department investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/ohio-county-man-admits-child-pornography-charge-2

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Cyber Security Firm Public Affairs Specialist Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

Defendant Possessed Several Thousand Files of Child Pornography

Baltimore, Maryland – Brendan Francis Kavanaugh, age 53, of Fort Meade, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to possession of child pornography.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron and Assistant Director in Charge Wayne Jacobs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Washington Field Office.

According to his guilty plea, in May 2020, Kavanaugh communicated with other users on a peer-to-peer file sharing network, the Tor network, under the username “HebeMom”. The Tor network is a computer network available to internet users that is specifically designed to facilitate anonymous communication. It is also commonly used to facilitate the sexual exploitation of minors.

Investigators linked the “HebeMom” usernames online activity to Kavanaugh’s Fort Meade, Maryland address and executed a search warrant at his residence on October 28, 2020. During the search of Kavanaugh’s residence, investigators discovered several electronic devices including an external hard drive. A forensic analysis of the hard drive revealed that Kavanaugh possessed approximately 3,674 images of child sexual abuse material and 9,296 files of child exploitative material, including several images of prepubescent females engaged in sexual conduct with adult males and animals.

As stated in his plea agreement, during an interview with law enforcement Kavanaugh admitted that the encrypted hard drive was his personal device and provided the password for the device. He then informed investigators that he had been using the Tor network since 2016 and accessed sites associated with child pornography under the username “HebeMom”.

Further, Kavanaugh admits that he knowingly possessed child pornography that involved sadistic or masochistic material and material that involved the exploitation of prepubescent minors.

Kavanaugh faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison followed by up to a lifetime of supervised release for possession of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher has scheduled sentencing for February 7, 2022 at 10 a.m.

United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary W. Setzer and Trial Attorney Charles Schmitz of the Department of Justice Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, who are prosecuting the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/cyber-security-firm-public-affairs-specialist-pleads-guilty-possession-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Former Altoona School Superintendent Sentenced to 8 Years for Possessing Child Pornography

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Daniel Peggs, 34, Altoona, Wisconsin was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 96 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography. This prison term will be followed by 10 years of supervised release.

The case came to light when, in January 2019, a 20-year-old woman came forward and reported that she had been the victim of sexual exploitation by several men when she was 17 years old. The investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security revealed that the victim met 37-year-old Bryan Ragon at a renaissance festival in Minnesota in September 2015. Ragon returned to his home in North Carolina and the minor returned to Wisconsin. Shortly after they met, Ragon started posting the minor on Craigslist.com in Wisconsin for group sex encounters.

Daniel Peggs, using the alias Jake Thompson, responded to an ad. At the urging of Ragon, Peggs recruited other adult men for group sex, rented a hotel room and then met with the minor at a hotel in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, where he recorded the sexual activity. After this first encounter, Peggs began communicating directly with Ragon to arrange group sex encounters, and continued to meet with the minor, both individually and in group settings, and recorded some of the encounters.

On October 25, 2021, Bryan Ragon was sentenced in the Western District of North Carolina to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 30 years of supervised release.

In sentencing Peggs, Judge Peterson noted that while Peggs pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, the heart of the case was the production of images of child pornography. Judge Peterson noted that mistake of age is not a defense for the production of child pornography. Judge Peterson also found that the defendant was systematically dishonest and his claim that he didn’t know the victim was a minor was not particularly credible. The court found that Peggs was willing to do whatever it took to have sex with the minor, regardless of the risk. In imposing the sentence, Judge Peterson found that a term of imprisonment was needed to protect public from the defendant’s sexual preoccupation.

The charge against Peggs was the result of an investigation conducted by Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and Ashland County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Wisconsin thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina for their cooperation and coordination.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/former-altoona-school-superintendent-sentenced-8-years-possessing-child-pornography

>>15108827

East Windsor Man Charged with Recording Sexual Abuse of Minor, Other Child Exploitation Offenses

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/east-windsor-man-charged-recording-sexual-abuse-minor-other-child-exploitation-offenses

Appleton Man Sentenced to 13 Years In Federal Prison for Child Enticement

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/pr/appleton-man-sentenced-13-years-federal-prison-child-enticement

Macon Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting Children He Met Online

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/macon-man-sentenced-18-years-prison-sexually-exploiting-children-he-met-online

40-Year Federal Prison Sentence for South Florida Man Who Exploited Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/40-year-federal-prison-sentence-south-florida-man-who-exploited-children

Fugitive Sex Offender Found in Washington, NC Sentenced for Failing to Register

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/fugitive-sex-offender-found-washington-nc-sentenced-failing-register

Carriere Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Video of a Minor Engaging in Sexually Explicit Conduct

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/carriere-man-pleads-guilty-producing-video-minor-engaging-sexually-explicit-conduct

KC Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/kc-man-sentenced-17-years-child-pornography

Baytown man gets 60 years for sexually-exploiting children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/baytown-man-gets-60-years-sexually-exploiting-children

Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Access with Intent to View Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/sex-offender-pleads-guilty-access-intent-view-child-pornography

Wisconsin Rapids Man Sentenced to 6 Years for Distributing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/wisconsin-rapids-man-sentenced-6-years-distributing-child-pornography

Union County Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Receipt of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/union-county-man-sentenced-70-months-prison-receipt-child-pornography

Man Sentenced for Receipt of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/man-sentenced-receipt-child-pornography

Sturgis Man Sentenced for Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/sturgis-man-sentenced-attempted-receipt-child-pornography-1

Clark Man Sentenced for Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/clark-man-sentenced-receipt-and-distribution-child-pornography

South Dakota Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/south-dakota-man-indicted-failure-register-sex-offender-0

New Bedford Man Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/new-bedford-man-arrested-child-exploitation-charges

Louisville Man Sentenced to 32 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation Crimes

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdky/pr/louisville-man-sentenced-32-years-federal-prison-child-exploitation-crimes

>>15123956

Miramar Man is Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for an On-Line Child Exploitation Scheme to Produce Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/miramar-man-sentenced-40-years-prison-line-child-exploitation-scheme-produce-child

Soccer coach admits to producing child pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/soccer-coach-admits-producing-child-pornography

McDowell County Woman Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offense

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/mcdowell-county-woman-pleads-guilty-child-pornography-offense

Wyoming County Man Going To Prison For Attempting To Have Sex With 11-Year Old Girl

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/wyoming-county-man-going-prison-attempting-have-sex-11-year-old-girl

Batavia Man Previously Convicted Of Possessing Child Pornography Is Going Back To Prison

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/batavia-man-previously-convicted-possessing-child-pornography-going-back-prison

Defendant Earlier Convicted of Felony Child Sexual Abuse Charges Involving Two Child Parishioners

https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/district-clergy-member-found-guilty-misdemeanor-sexual-abuse-adult-parishioner

Indianapolis Man Sentenced to 60 Years in Federal Prison Following Law Enforcement Officer’s Rescue of Young Children He Sexually Abused

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/indianapolis-man-sentenced-60-years-federal-prison-following-law-enforcement-officer-s

Great Falls man sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually exploiting minor girl in Pennsylvania

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/great-falls-man-sentenced-25-years-prison-sexually-exploiting-minor-girl-pennsylvania

Upton Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/upton-man-pleads-guilty-possession-child-pornography

Tampa Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Obscene Material and Letters to a Western PA Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/tampa-man-pleads-guilty-sending-obscene-material-and-letters-western-pa-minor

Burke County man sentenced to prison for possession of child pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdga/pr/burke-county-man-sentenced-prison-possession-child-pornography

Wiggins Man Pleads Guilty to Transportation of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/wiggins-man-pleads-guilty-transportation-child-pornography

Suburban Chicago Woman Charged in Federal Court in Connection With Alleged Child Sex Trafficking

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/suburban-chicago-woman-charged-federal-court-connection-alleged-child-sex-trafficking

Ohio County man admits to child pornography charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/ohio-county-man-admits-child-pornography-charge-2

Cyber Security Firm Public Affairs Specialist Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/cyber-security-firm-public-affairs-specialist-pleads-guilty-possession-child-pornography

Former Altoona School Superintendent Sentenced to 8 Years for Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/former-altoona-school-superintendent-sentenced-8-years-possessing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Stockton Man Sentenced to over 11 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking of a Child

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Angel Jesus Sanchez-Manriquez, 22, of Stockton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to 11 years and three months in prison for sex trafficking of a child, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between October and December 2020, Sanchez-Manriquez posted approximately 70 advertisements on a website, each of which contained photos of a 16‑year-old victim, advertising the victim’s availability to perform commercial sex acts. Sanchez-Manriquez referred to the victim as his “Snow Bunny.”

Sanchez-Manriquez rented motel rooms in and around the Stockton area in which the victim performed commercial sex acts. After executing search warrants, law enforcement agents learned that Sanchez-Manriquez also used his cellphone to take photographs and record videos of the victim engaged in sex acts with adults, including Sanchez-Manriquez.

“The pop-culture imagery of sex work is a far cry from the realities of human trafficking cases like these. Every day, adults and minors are marketed and sold to paying customers by exploiters who control and profit from every aspect of the illegal transactions,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. “Our agents are deeply committed to working tirelessly with our local, state, and federal partners to recover victims of human trafficking and ensure whose who exploit them face justice. They work closely with victim services specialists to ensure victims are afforded an opportunity to break free from the cycle of exploitation and abuse that is all too common in these cases. No person should ever be trafficked. Please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1(888) 373-7888 if you or someone you know needs help.”

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian A. Fogerty and Sam Stefanki prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/stockton-man-sentenced-over-11-years-prison-sex-trafficking-child-0

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Del Rio Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

DEL RIO – A Del Rio man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for possessing over a 1,000 images of child pornography.

According to court documents, in July 2018 Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents executed a search warrant on the residence of William Read, 71. During the search, investigators seized Read’s desktop computer and related computer media among other things. A forensic examination of the seized items revealed the presence of images and videos of material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors. Read possessed 1,093 images of child pornography. On August 26, 2019, Read pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses ordered that Read be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after his incarceration and that he pay $105,051.40 in restitution.

“Child sexual exploitation is an intolerable crime,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “We continue our vigorous prosecution of child predators to safeguard our children and communities.”

“This sentencing sends the message that we are committed to aggressively pursuing anyone who seeks to exploit children,” said Shane Folden, Special Agent in Charge for HSI San Antonio. “We will continue to dedicate our law enforcement resources to identify and bring to justice predators who traumatize and victimize children."

HSI investigated this case with valuable assistance from the Del Rio Police Department and Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rex Beasley, Stephen Kam and Sarah Spears prosecuted this case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/del-rio-man-sentenced-10-years-federal-prison-possession-child-pornography

https://www.missingkids.org/blog/2021/100,000,000-the-race-to-save-children-behind-the-staggering-number

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 3, 2021

Watertown Man found Guilty of Receipt, Distribution,and Transportation of Child Pornography

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that Vincent Michael Perez, age 36, of Watertown, South Dakota, was found guilty of one count of Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography and one count of Transportation of Child Pornography as a result of a federal jury trial in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and a up to $5,200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Perez was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 17, 2020.

Between August 7 and August 17, 2019, Perez knowingly received and distributed child pornography using a MeWe social media account. He also uploaded pornographic images of children to the same social media account. Law enforcement investigated the case after receiving a cybertip generated by MeWe. A detective with the Watertown Police Department tracked the history of internet use to Perez. The MeWe account contained numerous files of child pornography that Perez shared with other MeWe users.

This case was investigated by the Watertown Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for May, 23, 2022. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/watertown-man-found-guilty-receipt-distributionand-transportation-child-pornography

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-anti-trafficking-efforts-highlighted-2021-national-action-plan-combat

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 3, 2021

Suring Teacher Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Sexual Abuse Charges

Acting United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on December 3, 2021, John E. Fredenburgh (age: 37) of the Village of Suring, Wisconsin, pled guilty to a charge of traveling interstate with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(b), and an additional count of using a computer to attempt to persuade, induce, or entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b).

Based on his convictions, Fredenburgh faces a sentence of at least ten years’ imprisonment and up to 30 years’ imprisonment when he is sentenced before Senior U.S. District Judge William C. Griesbach on March 14, 2022.

According to court records, Fredenburgh was employed as a substitute teacher with the Suring School District from December 2020 until his arrest in 2021.

This case was investigated by the Oconto Sheriff’s Office, the Oconto County District Attorney’s Office, the Marinette County Sheriff’s Office, the Menominee, Michigan Sheriff’s Office, the Menominee (Michigan) Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/pr/suring-teacher-pleads-guilty-federal-child-sexual-abuse-charges

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Nebraska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 3, 2021

Omaha Man Sentenced for Possessing Child Pornography

Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Matthew G. Garabrandt, 30, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for possession of child pornography. Garabrandt was sentenced to 4 years in prison and will also serve 5 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. After serving his prison sentence, Garabrandt will also be required to register as a sex offender.

In October, 2015, a concerned citizen reported to Greene County Sheriff’s Office in Iowa that her ex-boyfriend had child pornography on his cellular phone. The investigators obtained a search warrant for the telephone and his residence in Scranton, Iowa. During the execution of the search warrant of that residence, the Sheriff’s Office seized two additional cellular telephones and a computer. Forensic examination of those cell phones led investigators to a phone number, later identified to belong to Garabrandt and the Federal Bureau of Investigation was informed.

In June, 2016, agents of the FBI interviewed Garabrandt at his residence in Omaha, Nebraska. Garabrandt admitted to sending and receiving child pornography and also admitted to downloading child pornography from a web forum. Investigators found approximately 15 images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct as defined by federal law during the forensic examination of the computer equipment seized from the Iowa residence that were sent by Garabrandt.

This case was investigated by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/omaha-man-sentenced-possessing-child-pornography-1

>>15011949

>According to court documents, founded around 2005, the Newstar Enterprise built, maintained, hosted, and operated the Newstar Websites on servers in the United States and abroad. To populate the Newstar Websites with content, Newstar Enterprise members sourced, enticed, solicited and recruited males and females under the age of 18, some of whom were prepubescent, to use as “child models” for the Newstar Websites. Using the recruited child-victims, the Newstar Enterprise produced more than 4.6 million sexualized images and videos to distribute and sell on the Newstar Websites. Some of those images and videos, though non-nude, depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. For example, images and videos sold on the Newstar Websites depicted children as young as 6 years old in sexual and provocative poses, wearing police and cheerleader costumes, thong underwear, transparent underwear, revealing swimsuits, pantyhose, and miniskirts. Most of the child-victims—recruited from Ukraine, Moldova, and other nations in Eastern Europe—were particularly vulnerable due to their age, family dynamics and poverty. Law enforcement officers have disabled the servers hosting the Newstar Websites.

>>15012007

>The Newstar Enterprise maintained a membership list for subscribers and customers of the Newstar Websites, who originated from 101 nations across the world. Images in the websites’ galleries were freely available to the public to preview, but greater access and more content required purchasing a subscription. The sale of purported “child modeling” content on the Newstar Websites generated more than $9.4 million during the course of the conspiracy. To process, receive and distribute this money, Newstar Enterprise members fraudulently opened merchant and bank accounts in the United States and laundered proceeds using a bogus jewelry company.

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 3, 2021

Tampa Woman Who Laundered More Than $2 Million For International “Child Modeling” Websites Sentenced To Over Five Years In Federal Prison

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven today sentenced Patrice Eileen Wilowski-Mevorah (53, Tampa) to five years and three months in federal prison for her involvement in a money laundering conspiracy in connection with an international enterprise that was based in Florida and which operated subscription-based sexually exploitative “child modeling” websites. The court also ordered Wilowski-Mevorah to forfeit $236,410.70.

Wilowski-Mevorah had pleaded guilty on July 6, 2021.

“Wilowski-Mevorah was laundering money for a criminal enterprise that was sexually exploiting children.” said John Condon HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge. “HSI is committed to working with our international law enforcement partners to bring anyone who targets or exploits innocent children to justice.”

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/tampa-woman-who-laundered-more-2-million-international-child-modeling-websites

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Washington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 3, 2021

Quileute Tribal member sentenced to prison for sexual abuse of minors

Sexually assaulted two children under 11-years-old on Quileute and Lower Elwha Klallam Reservations

Tacoma – A 30-year-old member of the Quileute Tribe was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 8 years in prison and 30 years of supervised release for abusive sexual contact, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Tyron Jackson has been in tribal, state, or federal custody since his arrest in June 2019. At today’s sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Robert J. Bryan said he felt it is imperative to “protect the public from any further acts of this defendant.”

“Sexual abuse and sexual assault against native children and women is pervasive, and continues to plague Native American tribes,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. “This case should send a message of deterrence: there will be serious consequences for the sexual abuse of Native American children.”

According to records filed in the case, the assaults occurred against two different minor victims. Between 2013 and 2015 one child was molested on Quileute Tribal land. In 2018, a second minor victim was sexually assaulted on Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal land. The two victims disclosed the abuse. In June 2019, Jackson was taken into custody. He pleaded guilty in September 2021.

The assaults were investigated by the Lower Elwha Tribal Police, the La Push Police, and the FBI.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca Cohen, in consultation with prosecutors from the Quileute and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribes.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/quileute-tribal-member-sentenced-prison-sexual-abuse-minors

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 3, 2021

Judge Sentences Mercer County Woman to 9 Years for Distributing Sexual Images of a Minor

PITTSBURGH – A former Mercer County resident has been sentenced in federal court to nine years’ imprisonment and five years’ supervised release on her conviction of Distribution of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Mary Jacobs, age 29, formerly of Farrell, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, from February 27, 2017 through February 28, 2017, Jacobs distributed approximately 11 still images depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor to an individual using “Skout”, an online chat forum. Jacobs had been communicating online with the individual for a short period and she acknowledged producing the images at his request. The child victim had not yet attained the age of 12 years. That individual to whom she sent the imagery is currently serving a 15-year term of imprisonment in the State of Florida for offenses involving possession of child sexual abuse material and related offenses.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Bissoon stated that she was granting a departure from the advisory guideline range based upon the totality of the circumstances, which included Jacobs’ intellectual disabilities.

Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Chung commended the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Jacobs.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/judge-sentences-mercer-county-woman-9-years-distributing-sexual-images-minor

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Maine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 3, 2021

Deer Isle Man Sentenced for Possessing Child Pornography

BANGOR, Maine: A Deer Isle man was sentenced today in federal court for possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.

U.S. District Court Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Nicholas Pettis, 38, to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Pettis was also ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution to victims depicted in the videos he possessed. Pettis pleaded guilty on April 13, 2021.

According to court records, Pettis possessed electronic devices containing short videos of children, including infants and toddlers, being sexually abused by adult men. Pettis traded these videos online to obtain similar materials. The electronic devices, including cell phones and a computer, were seized from his home on June 25, 2020, during execution of a search warrant.

In imposing the sentence, Judge Walker noted that the materials in this case depicted “the most vulnerable, youngest members of society, who are completely helpless, subject to the most profound terror imaginable.” The judge further commented that the horrors of the materials Mr. Pettis traded in “could not be adequately captured by Dante or his seven circles of Hell, and I don’t think any of us do ourselves any favors by ignoring that truth.”

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit investigated this case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/pr/deer-isle-man-sentenced-possessing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 3, 2021

Waco Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Sexually Exploiting a Minor

AUSTIN – A Waco man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of children.

According to court documents, Arthur Ray Dickey Jr., 32, produced a video while engaged in sexual intercourse with a minor. In addition to the 15 years in federal prison, the defendant was ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release after his term of incarceration.

In January 2020, the defendant also was sentenced by the State of Texas to eight years in state prison for aggravated robbery and compelling prostitution. The state and federal sentences will run consecutive.

“Sexual predators seeking to exploit vulnerable children in violation of federal law will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff.

On June 28, 2021, Dickey pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children.

The Austin Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Grant Sparks prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/waco-man-sentenced-15-years-sexually-exploiting-minor

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Colorado

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 3, 2021

Colorado Springs Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Pornography

DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Gregory Lopez, age 28, of Colorado Springs, was sentenced to serve 240 months (20 years) in federal prison, followed by 20 years on supervised release for production and transportation of child pornography.

According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, the defendant was advertising the sale of child pornography on “The Onion Router” or TOR network, which makes it difficult for users to learn each other’s physical location. A federal agent observed the advertisement and began communicating with the defendant. On May 6, 2020, in exchange for $40, the defendant sent the agent five videos depicting the sexual abuse of a minor victim, who was seven years old at the time. A search warrant was executed at the defendant’s home in Colorado Springs the next day. The defendant was home, identified the minor victim to law enforcement, admitted to creating the videos depicting his sexual abuse of the minor victim, and admitted to selling the videos on TOR. The defendant also possessed approximately 265 videos files and 20 image files depicting child pornography.

“Sexual abuse of children is egregious and harms victims for their lifetime,” said United States Attorney Cole Finegan. “Due to the excellent work of federal law enforcement and the Colorado’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the victim in this case is no longer in danger, and the perpetrator has been removed from the community for a very long time.”

“This sentencing should send a very clear message to this defendant and others like him, that HSI will punish anyone who engages in the inexcusable abuse of innocent children,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, Special Agent in Charge, HSI Denver. “We’re grateful for the collaboration with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in Colorado to target and prosecute criminals who exploit children.”

United States District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello sentenced Gregory Lopez on December 2, 2021.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Alecia L. Riewerts handled the prosecution of the case.

Case No. 20-cr-165-CMA

https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/colorado-springs-man-sentenced-20-years-federal-prison-producing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 3, 2021

Brazilian National Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Child

AUSTIN – A Brazilian national was sentenced today to 60 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a child, followed by 10 years of supervised release. Defendant was also ordered to pay restitution to his victims.

According to court documents, Luann Fabric Campos Leao Hida, aka “Luann Hida,” “Luann Leao,” and “LOTR,” 27, enticed minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct and produced visual depictions of the conduct. Hida would furnish alcohol and e-cigarettes to minors. In addition, he would give money and vaping materials to the minors in exchange for sexual favors.

On August 26, 2021, Hida pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of distribution of child pornography.

Hida has remained in federal custody since his arrest on July 1, 2019.

“This is one of the most heinous child sexual crimes we have seen in our community and the Court recognized this with its sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “Child sexual predators cause incalculable and long-lasting damage to our communities, the individual victims, and the families of the victims and we will continue to prosecute these cases aggressively to bring justice for the victims and protect our communities.”

“This case is particularly egregious, as it involved 20 child victims over the course of four years,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting our community's vulnerable children and holding accountable those who would harm them.”

The FBI investigated the case in conjunction with the U.S. Secret Service, Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Lakeway Police Department, Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Bee Cave Police Department, and Austin Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys G. Karthik Srinivasan and Keith M. Henneke prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/brazilian-national-sentenced-60-years-prison-sexual-exploitation-child

>>15128856

https://www.dhs.gov/publication/strategy-combat-human-trafficking-importation-goods-produced-forced-labor-and-child?topic=human-trafficking

HUMAN TRAFFICKING TIP LINE

Report suspected human trafficking to federal law

enforcement:1-866-347-2423 or https://go.usa.gov/xMGSg

REQUEST HELP TODAY

National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888

REPORT SUSPECTED FORCED LABOR TRADE

VIOLATIONS

eallegations.cbp.gov/Home/allegation

DHS BLUE CAMPAIGN’S EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

www.dhs.gov/bluecampaign

>>15128856

>The department will play a lead role in implementing the following Priority Actions, among others:

Expand interagency enforcement initiatives aimed at increasing high impact prosecutions of forced labor, sex trafficking of adults by force, fraud or coercion and transnational sex trafficking, and work with the Department of Homeland Security to launch a labor trafficking enforcement initiative.

Engage relevant stakeholders, including state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement and survivors and survivor organizations, to strengthen their prosecutions related to child sex trafficking.

Dismantle organized criminal human trafficking enterprises by targeting their financial networks, communication systems and other infrastructure, and by targeting facilitators of human trafficking.

Develop improved technology for human trafficking interdiction and identify technical barriers impeding investigations.

Enhance capabilities to locate children who are missing, including those who have run away from foster care, and are vulnerable to human trafficking.

Ensure the safety and well-being of human trafficking victims in the course of FBI investigations by using and promoting a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach among all federal, state, local, territorial and tribal law enforcement partners.

Conduct comprehensive training covering the collection of restitution and transfer of forfeited funds to victims.

Prioritize the Office for Victims of Crime’s housing program to support safe, stable housing options for human trafficking victims.

Consider enhancements to the model task forces program to increase collaboration between victim services, law enforcement, and community and survivor stakeholders.

Seek to establish federally-funded human trafficking task forces that are sustainable and state, tribal, territorial or locally-led.

Release a self-guided training on integrating trauma-informed engagement in supporting individuals and communities impacted by human trafficking.

Support research and develop the evidence needed to better prevent and respond to trafficking in persons in the United States.

Protecting Kids Online: Instagram and Reforms for Young Users

December 8, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chair of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security will convene a hearing titled, “Protecting Kids Online: Instagram and Reforms for Young Users,” at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. News reports, whistleblower revelations, and academic research are providing a clearer view of the impact of social media applications on children and teens, especially on their mental health and wellbeing. Parents are deeply concerned about the product designs and powerful algorithms that push content to kids and create addiction-like behaviors. This hearing will address what Instagram knows about its impacts on young users, its commitments to reform, and potential legislative solutions.

WITNESSESS

Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram

DETAILS

Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security

2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Committee Hearing Room, Russell 253

https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2021/12/protecting-kids-online-instagram-and-reforms-for-young-users

>>15137327

>Protecting Kids Online: Instagram and Reforms for Young Users

https://www.justice.gov/usao/pressreleases?keys=instagram&items_per_page=25&f%5B0%5D=field_pr_topic%3A1201

November 23, 2021

Former Joplin Teacher Sentenced to 20 Years for Enticing a Minor for Sex

>… to the victim, with whom she primarily communicated via Instagram, and engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim …

November 22, 2021

San Bernardino County Man Found Guilty of Federal Charges for Paying for Sex from Underage Girl He Met on Internet

>… messenger feature and then switched to communicating via Instagram messenger. Although she … going to report him to law enforcement, Taylor deleted his Instagram account, but not before the family friend had taken …

November 17, 2021

Cyberstalker sentenced for child exploitation crimes

>… high school band's Facebook page and created multiple fake Instagram accounts to “expose her” as well. Both girls …

October 28, 2021

New Jersey Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

>… his genitals and send those pictures to Winczuk via Instagram. During his contact with the victim, Winczuk posed …

October 21, 2021

Letcher County Teacher Convicted of Producing Child Pornography and Cyberstalking

>… on November 20, 2018. Despite that, Hall still used Instagram to engage in cyberstalking. Hall repeatedly …

Texas Man Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Indiana Child Through Instagram

>… of a child by utilizing the social media platform Instagram to deceive and entice an Indiana teenager to send … a 15-year-old boy, began following the minor victim on Instagram. He soon began sending direct messages to the …

October 12, 2021

Springfield Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography

>… the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Instagram, Twitter, and Google had reported that Durham …

October 6, 2021

Syracuse Man Sentenced to 20 Years on Child Exploitation Convictions

>… his earlier guilty plea, Pratt admitted that he used the Instagram name “redneck_pratt” to message with a person …

September 30, 2021

Danvers Man Charged with Transfer of Obscene Matter to a Minor and Possession of Child Pornography

>… alleges that Smith used the social media platform Instagram to share pornographic communications with a minor. …

September 24, 2021

Cincinnati Man Sentenced to 192 Months for Production of Child Pornography

>… on his iPhone and sent the video of the conduct over Instagram to the victim, who was a minor. Villamar pleaded …

September 20, 2021

Los Angeles Man Charged With Enticement Of Minor Girl Who Ran Away In San Francisco

>… year old girl to produce and send him child pornography on Instagram during the timeframe of December 25 through …

September 2, 2021

Registered Sex Offender in Fresno Charged with Child Sexual Exploitation Offenses

>… location monitoring. He contacted a 13-year-old victim on Instagram and then communicated with the victim through text …

August 27, 2021

Former UNL Student Convicted for Receipt of Child Pornography

>… additionally received a search warrant for Towle’s Instagram account he had used to trade child pornography. A review of the Instagram account revealed consistent attempts by Towle to trade child pornography with other Instagram users. The Instagram account additionally revealed …

August 23, 2021

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation Offenses Involving a Ten-Year-Old Victim

>… the guilty plea, the court was advised that Holden used Instagram to induce a ten-year-old female to provide him …

August 19, 2021

Atlanta man sentenced for sextorting nine teenage boys

>… and videos. Frazier met most of the teens using an Instagram account where he was posing as an older attractive …

August 17, 2021

Fort Lauderdale Man Pleads Guilty to Sextortion of Children, Other Exploitation

>… that from October 2019 through November 2020, he used Instagram and other social networking platforms to meet and …

Former Newark High School Faculty Member Going To Prison For 50 Years For Producing And Possessing Child Pornography

>… and used the Snapchat account “Tjohnson755” and the Instagram account “TimJ755,” to engage minors in sexually …

August 16, 2021

Plattsmouth Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Distributing Child Pornography

>… supervised release. On June 20, 2020, Burnell used his Instagram account to upload an image of child pornography to …

July 30, 2021

Retired School Teacher Arrested And Charged With Enticement Of A Minor And Possession Of Child Pornography

>… A member of the group made contact with Scherer on the Instagram account richard_scherer. The defendant believed the …

>>15137327

>Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram

July 28, 2021

Camp counselor sentenced to 14 years for child pornography charge

>… 1,000 messages via Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram with the minor, who lives in Berkeley County. …

July 20, 2021

Warwick Man Sentenced to More than Eleven Years for Transporting a Minor with Intent to Engage in Sex

>… an emergency search warrant for the missing teen’s Instagram account, and determined that the girl had logged on …

July 19, 2021

Registered Sex Offender Indicted on Attempted Enticement, Child Pornography Charges

>… who allegedly posed as a 17-year-old during explicit Instagram communications with two young teenage boys living … sexual communications to her 13-year-old son via an Instagram account with the name “Jackasslures”, a … containing a fishing lure sent by a person associated with Instagram account. North Port Police determined that the …

July 7, 2021

Staten Island Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Transferring Obscene Material to A Minor

>… in October 2020, while misrepresenting himself on Instagram to be a teenage boy, Behar, then 41 years old, … for Sending Sexually Explicit Material to a 12-Year-Old on Instagram Earlier today, Ryan Behar pleaded guilty in federal …

June 23, 2021

Registered Sex Offender Charged with Attempting to Transfer Obscene Material to a Minor

>… living in Smithfield, RI, who allegedly claimed during Instagram communications with two minor boys in Florida to be … sexual communications to her 13-year-old son via an Instagram account with the identity of “Jackasslures.” The Instagram account held itself out as a fishing-related online …

June 10, 2021

Orlando Man Sentenced To 17 Years In Federal Prison For Online Child Sexual Exploitation

>… Planas began chatting online with an 11-year-old child via Instagram messenger. In September 2019, Planas sent the child … child messages, video chat requests, and using a different Instagram username. When the child’s parents discovered …

June 7, 2021

Registered sex offender sentenced to 29 years in prison for soliciting and producing child pornography from teenage boys on social media

>… Eardly created multiple social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Kik Messenger and communicated with more than …

May 14, 2021

Olean Man Going To Prison For Receiving Naked Pictures Of Young Girls On Social Media

>… 2016, the defendant solicited minor victims through the Instagram application to produce images of child pornography. …

April 26, 2021

Former School Athletic Trainer Going To Prison For 15 Years For Enticing A Minor

>… in an ongoing relationship with a minor. Pratt used Instagram and Facebook to communicate with the minor, …

April 22, 2021

Beaverton Man Charged with Child Exploitation Crimes After Stalking and Exploiting Australian Minor Using Social Media

>… media platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram, to distribute photos and videos depicting child …

Syracuse Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Distribution of Child Pornography

>… entering his guilty plea, Pratt admitted that he used the Instagram name “redneck_pratt” to message with a person … Distributing Images of the Abuse to Another Person over Instagram Project Safe Childhood Northern District of New York …

April 21, 2021

Manchester Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Child Pornography Crimes

>… Missing and Exploited Children by the social media website Instagram. The tip reported that on June 6, 2019, a file uploaded to Instagram was identified as a Child Sexual Abuse Image. MPD investigators later determined that the Instagram account was associated with Severance, who was a …

April 19, 2021

Former San Francisco Resident Charged With Multi-Year Campaign Of Cyberstalking Against Three Minors

>… By October, Demirovic and her co-conspirator were using Instagram to mock the minor. Demirovic’s abuse escalated …

April 13, 2021

California Man Pleads Guilty To Receipt Of Child Pornography

>… defendant engaged in sexually explicit conversations via Instagram and text message with a 14 year-old female (Minor …

March 16, 2021

Former Newark High School Faculty Member Pleads Guilty To Production And Possession Of Child Pornography, Faces Up To 50 Years In Prison

>… and used the Snapchat account “Tjohnson755” and the Instagram account “TimJ755,” to engage minors in sexually …

March 15, 2021

Camp counselor admits to child pornography charge

>… 1,000 messages via Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram with the minor, who lives in Berkeley County. …

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March 11, 2021

Stratford Man Admits Producing and Distributing Child Pornography

>… toddlers. The investigation also revealed that Galpin used Instagram to identify young girls for the purpose of … another instance, Galpin identified a 15-year-old girl via Instagram and enticed her to send him sexually explicit images of herself. The victim did so using Instagram’s “self-destruct” feature, which …

March 8, 2021

Boise Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Sexual Exploitation of a Child

>… (FBI) examined the cellphones and located Facebook and Instagram communications between Lane and other underage …

March 2, 2021

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Rantoul Man on Child Pornography Charges

>… separate social media and instant messaging applications, Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, and Twitter, self-reported to …

February 4, 2021

Baldwinsville Man Charged with Receiving Child Pornography

>… numerous images and videos of child pornography using the Instagram application on his cellular phone. The charges in …

January 13, 2021

Illinois Man Indicted on Production of Child Pornography Charge

>… and a 14-year-old Massachusetts victim initially met on Instagram and exchanged phone numbers and began communicating …

January 6, 2021

New Jersey Man Sentenced for Cyberstalking, Receiving Child Pornography

>… and family members. He also threatened to create Instagram accounts in the girls’ names and use those … explicit picture of a 13-year-old girl from Indiana on an Instagram account he created using her name. On Tuesday, U.S. …

December 15, 2020

Ohio Man Indicted for Traveling to KC to Meet Child Victim for Sex

>… criminal complaint, Zukoski began communicating through Instagram on Oct. 21, 2020, with a person he believed to be 12 years old. In reality, the Instagram account had been set up by a Kansas City area woman … employee then began communicating with Zukoski through the Instagram account, assuming the identity of the 12-year-old …

December 3, 2020

Illinois Man Charged with Production of Child Pornography

>… Massachusetts victim initially met and conversed on Instagram. Thereafter, the two exchanged phone numbers and …

December 2, 2020

Jamestown Man Pleads Guilty To Receiving Naked Pictures Of Young Girls On Social Media

>… 2016, the defendant solicited minor victims through the Instagram application to produce images of child pornography. …

November 24, 2020

Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Crimes

>… Missing and Exploited Children by the social media website Instagram. The tip reported that on June 6, 2019 a file uploaded to Instagram was identified as a Child Sexual Abuse Image. MPD investigators later determined that the Instagram account was associated with Severance, who was a …

November 23, 2020

Missouri Man Facing Child Pornography And Cyberstalking Charges

>… victim, living in the Western District of New York, on Instagram and asked her to send him pictures of her feet and … send the images she previously sent to him to all of her Instagram followers. The victim complied and sent Neal the … the defendant continued to harass the victim through Instagram and text message, demanding that she take and send …

November 18, 2020

Former Sailor Sentenced to Prison for Child Exploitation Crime

>… girl in North Carolina via the social media platform, Instagram. While overseas on official government travel, …

November 4, 2020

Erie Man Indicted on Child Sexual Exploitation Charges

>… to the Indictment presented to the court, Holden used Instagram to induce a minor female to provide him sexually …

October 29, 2020

Ex-Keesler Airman Sentenced to Over Ten Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography

>… that he solicited through the social media site Instagram. Quagliaroli then stored some of the child …

October 9, 2020

Jorge Javier Marrero Gerena Arrested On Charges Of Child Pornography

>… at his place of residence. The defendant used the Yatea PR Instagram account and a WhatsApp account to communicate via …

October 8, 2020

Jury Convicts Man for Producing Images of Child Sexual Abuse

>… the 16-year-old girl to the minor over the internet using Instagram. Hewlett faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in …

October 7, 2020

Former School Athletic Trainer Pleads Guilty To Enticing A Minor

>… an ongoing relationship with the minor victim. Pratt used Instagram and Facebook to communicate with the minor, …

September 21, 2020

Child Sex Trafficker Receives Fifteen Years in Federal Prison

>… to meeting two additional minor females in Texas over “Instagram” and then encouraging them to engage in …

September 17, 2020

Hudson County Man Charged with Trafficking in Child Pornography

>… 2018, Zelaya, representing himself as a teenaged boy, used Instagram communications to persuade a child to send him a …

Georgia man sentenced to 28 years for producing child pornography and sextorting dozens of girls online

>… to his arrest in August 2019, Okenica used Snapchat and Instagram to solicit sexually explicit photographs and videos … out his threats. If a girl blocked Okenica on Snapchat or Instagram, he frequently established new accounts to find the …

September 3, 2020

FBI Seeking Potential Victims In Jeffrey Pierce Investigation

>… user/vanity names when contacting his victims through Instagram, Snapchat, KiK, and Grinder: Instagram : addie8651, addiestrode111, Addie Strode, Kennedy …

September 1, 2020

Volunteer And Former Employee Of Minneapolis Charter School Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Child Pornography

>… platforms – specifically Skype, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Twitter, Kik, WhatsApp, and Snapchat – to …

August 20, 2020

22 Year Old Man Indicted And Arrested On Charges Of Child Pornography

>… of producing child pornography. Ortiz-Colon used an Instagram account to commit these crimes. “The production …

August 17, 2020

Registered Sex Offender Sentenced To 35 Years In Prison For “Sextorting” More Than 40 Minors

>… media and chat platforms, including Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Kik, and Skype, as well as text messages to carry …

August 7, 2020

Former Newark High School Faculty Member Returned To The Western District Of New York To Face Child Exploitation Charges

>… shelly4794; and s123m321. Skype: Tim Johnson tjohnson755. Instagram: timj755; sheltonmoore8945; bkingsbury755; and …

August 6, 2020

Orange City Man Who “Sextorted” Multiple Minors Sentenced To 60 Years

>… girls (usually between the ages of 10 and 13) through Instagram and Snapchat. Testani frequently posed as a young, …

July 16, 2020

Darien Center Man Sentenced For Receiving Child Pornography From Young Girls

>… at a school in Niagara County. The defendant used the Instagram profile “davidlissachi” to communicate with the …

June 30, 2020

Syracuse Man Arraigned on Child Exploitation Charges

>… sent at the time he distributed the images and video to an Instagram user who has since been identified by the FBI, …

June 17, 2020

Former Joplin Teacher Pleads Guilty to Enticing a Minor for Sex, Faces at Least 10 Years in Prison

>… to the victim, with whom she primarily communicated via Instagram, and engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim …

June 11, 2020

Jacksonville Man Sentenced to 20 Years After Soliciting Minor for Sex and Child Pornography

>… related to the offense, Shepard (now 30 years old) used Instagram to contact a 13-year-old Craven County girl and … Office. A detective then assumed the girl’s Instagram identity and continued the conversation. Shepard … Law enforcement obtained records of Shepard’s Instagram activity, which revealed that he had attempted to …

May 20, 2020

West Plains School Employee Charged with Producing Child Pornography

>… sexually explicit photos and videos through Snapchat and Instagram. Cody Ashton Ary, 29, of West Plains, was charged … filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Instagram initiated a CyberTip with the National Center for … a total of 92 chat conversations between Ary and other Instagram users. According to the affidavit, Ary used the …

April 30, 2020

New Jersey Man Admits to Cyberstalking, Receipt of Child Pornography

>… and family members. He also threatened to create Instagram accounts in the girls’ names and use those … one of the girls, a 13-year-old girl from Indiana, on an Instagram account he created using her name. The …

April 22, 2020

Mount Juliet Man Facing Child Pornography Charges

>… Court, between October 2019 and April 2020, Jordan used Instagram and other platforms to post photos and videos …

February 25, 2020

New Jersey Man Who Traveled to Sacramento to Have Sex with a 13-Year-Old Sentenced to over 12 Years in Prison

>… Anaya-Otero had an online relationship over Snapchat and Instagram with a second juvenile victim, age 14, in El Dorado …

Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri will testify before the Senate on teen mental health

TechCrunch|11 days ago

Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri will testify before the Senate … and appears to have concealed vital information from us about teen mental health and addiction," wrote Senator Blumenthal …

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri is to testify before Congress for the first time, as lawmakers seek answers on child safety

Yahoo|10 days ago

The planned hearing, reported by the NYT, comes after Facebook whistleblower docs suggested Instagram made body image issues worse for some girls.

Instagram Head Adam Mosseri to Tell Senate About Teens Mental Health

bestgamingpro|8 days ago

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, will testify before the Senate for the first time as part of a series of hearings about online safety for children and teens. On December 6, according to The New York Times,

Instagram Chief Adam Mosseri Will Testify Before Congress for the First Time

Gizmodo|10 days ago

Mosseri's December 6 testimony … of leaks—which included multiple internal studies on Instagram's potential effects on the mental health of its younger users—has been a flashpoint …

Silicon Legal: Instagram Chief to Testify before Congress on Online Safety

Law|2 days ago

According to an internal Meta study, 32% of surveyed teen girls reported Instagram made negative feelings surrounding body image worse.

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri to appear before Congress on app's safety

SiliconANGLE|10 days ago

Adam Mosseri, chief of Meta Platforms Inc.-owned Instagram, will be grilled by the Senate in December, his first time in that particular hot seat. Sen. Richard Blumenthal will lead the hearing, in which a bipartisan panel will ask the Instagram boss questions about the safety of the app for children.

Instagram head to testify before Senate subcommittee about the platform's impact on kids

CNN|10 days ago

New York (CNN Business)Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram … that the company's own researchers have found Instagram can damage young users' mental health and body image, and can exacerbate …

Instagram CEO to testify before Congress for the first time

CNET|10 days ago

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri said Wednesday he plans to testify … amid criticism that the photo and video service is harming the mental health of teens. "These are important issues, but we …

Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri will testify before the Senate on teen mental heath

Yahoo Style UK|10 days ago

Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri will testify before the Senate for the first … and appears to have concealed vital information from us about teen mental health and addiction," wrote Senator Blumenthal, who chairs the Senate committee hosting these hearings.

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri to testify before Congress

The Verge|10 days ago

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri will testify before Congress for … from Senate lawmakers concerned over how Facebook can harm the mental health of young users. Since Facebook whistleblower Frances …

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri to testify before Congress amid damning allegations

New York Post|7 days ago

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri is expected to testify before Congress for the first time ever on the week of Dec. 6 — after a series of damning allegations were leveled against the company by …

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri to testify before Congress for the first time

CNBC|9 days ago

Instagram's chief executive Adam Mosseri is expected to testify before Congress for the first time the week of Dec. 6. The news follows the release of leaked internal documents by former Facebook …

Instagram CEO to testify before Congress next week on alleged harms to kids

Washington Times|2 days ago

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri will testify before a Senate subcommittee next week about his company's impact on children, two senators announced Thursday, as lawmakers probe the platform's …

The head of Instagram agrees to testify as Congress probes the app's effects on young people.

New York Times|10 days ago

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has agreed for the first time to testify before Congress, as bipartisan anger mounts over harms to young people from the app. Mr. Mosseri is expected to appear …

Instagram CEO Mosseri to testify for first time before Senate on Dec. 8

Business Insider|3 days ago

Disclaimer | Accessibility Statement | Commerce Policy | Made In NYC | Stock quotes by finanzen.net Adam Mosseri, chief executive of Meta Platform Inc.'s Instagram business unit, will testify for …

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February 19, 2020

Columbus man offers guilty plea for coercing minor girls nationwide into sending sexually explicit videos, images through various social media platforms

>… with minor females located throughout the country on Instagram, Snapchat and other social media sites and … child pornography. Sutherin met minor females through Instagram, Snapchat, Kik and Telegram and coerced at least … with minor females located throughout the country on Instagram, Snapchat and other social media sites and …

Gonzales Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Federal Prison for Coersion and Enticement of a Minor

>… 23, 2018, Braud, at his home in Gonzales, Louisiana, used Instagram to communicate with Minor Victim 1. Braud used the Instagram name “cornelious12345.” Minor Victim 1 … with him. During their sexually explicit chat on Instagram, Braud sent Minor Victim 1 sexually explicit images …

February 6, 2020

New Jersey Man Detained on Child Pornography, Cyberstalking Charges

>… and family members. He also threatened to create Instagram accounts in the girls’ names and use those … one of the girls, a 13-year-old girl from Indiana, on an Instagram account he created using her name. It is also …

December 19, 2019

Berea, Ohio Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Sexually Exploiting Children

>… contact the young athletes on social media sites like Instagram and Snapchat to congratulate them and share … and his family in New York. After an extended period of Instagram chats, Swinnerton moved to New York and gained … and targeted minors between the ages of 12 and 15 on Instagram and Facebook. Swinnerton contacted the victims’ …

December 3, 2019

North Carolina Man Sentenced for Enticement of a Minor

>… of his arrest. The cellphone was observed to be open to an Instagram conversation between Kingston and the undercover …

November 25, 2019

Essex County Man Charged with Production, Receipt, and Possession of Child Pornography

>… Between Aug. 20, 2018, and Sept. 23, 2018, Zelaya used Instagram messages to entice, threaten, and coerce a minor …

November 19, 2019

Joplin Man Sentenced for Child Pornography

>… uploaded multiple images of child pornography to his Instagram account, which triggered a CyberTipline report to …

October 31, 2019

Grand Jury Indicts Former School Athletic Trainer On Multiple Charges Including Enticing A Minor And Production Of Child Pornography

>… to nude photographs being exchanged between the two using Instagram. Some of the text messages between the defendant …

Philadelphia Woman Pleads Guilty to Charges of Child Enticement, Manufacturing of Child Pornography

>… underage boys online. The defendant communicated through Instagram with one particular boy, soliciting him for videos … masturbating. She and her victim exchanged over 50,000 Instagram messages over the course of a few months, including …

October 25, 2019

Dentist Charged with Child Exploitation Offenses

>… the username “drpinstripe13,” began communicating on Instagram with an individual whom he believed was a …

September 12, 2019

Newport News Man Charged with Production of Child Pornography

>… Taylor, 25, began communicating online via Snapchat and Instagram in May 2018 with Jane Doe 1, who informed Taylor …

August 27, 2019

Warwick Man Charged with Interstate Travel to Engage in Sex with a Minor, Receipt of Child Pornography

>… an emergency search warrant for the then missing teen’s Instagram account, and determined that the girl had logged on …

August 21, 2019

Forsyth County man arrested for soliciting child pornography from teenage girls on Snapchat

>… to send nude photographs of a 12-year-old girl to all her Instagram friends if she did not comply with his demands. …

August 20, 2019

Sextortion Warning From U.S. Attorney, Georgia's Internet Crimes Against Children Director

>… is doing online and educate yourself. If your child has an Instagram or Snapchat account, then you, the parent, need an Instagram or Snapchat account and you must know how to use …

August 9, 2019

Columbus Man Charged With Coercing Minor Girls Online

>… of minors. The man allegedly chatted with minor females on Instagram, Snapchat and other social media sites and … of minors. The man allegedly chatted with minor females on Instagram, Snapchat and other social media sites and …

August 6, 2019

Fake Prince from Philadelphia Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation Crimes

>… images of child pornography and send them to him over Instagram. At the time of the defendant’s arrest, he was in …

July 18, 2019

Registered Sex Offender Enters Guilty Plea In “Sextortion” Case

>… media and chat platforms, including Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Kik, and Skype, as well as text messages to carry …

July 16, 2019

Mascoutah Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Online Extortion, Production of Child Pornography

>… media and messaging applications, including Facebook, Instagram, LiveMe, Kik, and Snapchat. He was able to persuade …

July 15, 2019

Atwater Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Offenses Related to the Sexual Exploitation of Children Using Social Media

>… According to a criminal complaint, Perez, using the Instagram screen name captainamerica272018, victimized two …

June 27, 2019

Burnsville Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Producing Child Pornography Via Instagram And X-Box

>… 240 months in prison for producing child pornography using Instagram and X-Box. HINKLE, who pleaded guilty on September … from May 2017 through July 2017, HINKLE used several Instagram accounts he created under various names, including … in court, in May of 2017, HINKLE contacted Minor #1 via Instagram and, through the course of their on-line …

June 20, 2019

Darien Center Man Pleads Guilty To Receiving Child Ponography From Young Girls

>… posing as a 16 or 17-year-old boy. The defendant used the Instagram profile “davidlissachi” to communicate with the …

June 17, 2019

Pierre Man Sentenced to Fifty Years in Federal Prison for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child, Interstate Travel With Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct, and Child Pornography Charges

>… Further investigation revealed Ricker was utilizing Instagram, a social networking application, to engage in …

June 4, 2019

Olean Man Indicted For Seeking Naked Pictures Of Young Girls On Social Media

>… only known as “George” on the social media application Instagram. According to incident reports obtained from both … of a male to the minor females. Investigators traced the Instagram account of “George” to the defendant. … pictures and videos of a naked adult male from two Instagram users. Both Instagram accounts were traced to Guay. …

May 31, 2019

Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Enticing Minors via Social Media Platforms

>… cell phone to communicate with minors on SnapChat, Instagram and Tumblr. HUFFERD began relationships with … Brian Werner. USAO - Washington, Western Used SnapChat, Instagram and Tumblr to Convince Teens to Send Him Sexually …

May 21, 2019

Former Substitute Teacher And Coach Indicted On Multiple Charges Of Receipt And Production Of Child Pornography, And Enticement Of A Minor

>… from Virginia who had been communicating through Instagram with a person utilizing Instagram account LEXIGURL1015. The boy, who was under the …

May 7, 2019

210 Months Prison Sentence For Oregon Sex Offender Caught Luring, Threatening Young Columbus Girl Online

>… with the 15-year-old female victim “Jane Doe” on Instagram, a popular social media application. Jane Doe, who … military installation in Columbus, first became active on Instagram and Snapchat in August 2017, and shortly thereafter made contact with Mr. Cochran on Instagram, under the username “utopic_ecchi” with a …

April 16, 2019

Substitute Teacher And Coach Arrested And Charged With Possession Of Child Pornography

>… Virginia (Victim 1) who had been communicating through Instagram with a person utilizing Instagram account LEXIGURL1015. Victim 1, who was under the …

April 5, 2019

New Jersey Sex Offender Charged With Attempted Production Of Child Pornography

>… media days prior, to send him images of his genitals via Instagram. As a result of a 2010 conviction for sexually …

March 28, 2019

Berea man indicted after he allegedly contacted several children between the ages of 12 and 15 and coerced them into sending him sexually explicit images

>… and targeted minors between the ages of 12 and 15 on Instagram and Facebook. Swinnerton contacted the victims’ …

March 27, 2019

Hialeah Resident Sentenced to Twenty Years in Prison for Distributing and Possessing Child Pornography

>… in connection with chats he had with minors over Instagram’s direct message feature and his cellular … to the stipulated facts filed in court, on April 8, 2018, Instagram, a social media network, reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an Instagram user had uploaded one file of child pornography …

March 25, 2019

Jury Finds Pierre Man Guilty of 7 Felony Counts Related to Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child, Interstate Travel With Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct, and Child Pornography Charges

>… Law enforcement analyzed social media accounts including Instagram, Kik, Yahoo, and Facebook, as well as Dropbox, …

January 19, 2018

New Jersey Man Indicted for Sex Travel to Placer and El Dorado Counties and for Production of Child Pornography

>… Anaya-Otero had an online relationship over Snapchat and Instagram with a second juvenile victim in El Dorado County, …

January 11, 2018

Warwick Man Sentenced To 16 Years In Prison For Enticing Minors To Engage In Sexual Activity

>… a registered sex offender, communicated online via Instagram and Kik with a then 12-year-old minor … threatened to show the photos and videos to Victim-2’s Instagram followers. * …

August 30, 2017

Christopher Fox Arrested For Various Internet Crimes Against Children

>… United Kingdom using social media applications including Instagram and Snapchat. During the time the two were in …

August 15, 2017

Stephenville Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison for Enticing a Minor Female to Engage in Sexual Activity

>… December 4, 2016, Facio used the social media application, Instagram, on his cell phone to identify and communicate with …

August 2, 2017

Springfield Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Producing Child Pornography

>… naked pictures via social media, including Snapchat, Instagram and Kik. Frequently, during the conversations, …

May 31, 2017

Vista Man Pleads Guilty to Coercing Young Children into Sending Him Naked Pictures

>… a conversation with a 16-year-old girl in Florida through Instagram. This time, Saucedo pretended to be a modeling …

May 12, 2017

Man Sentenced for Exploiting Children to Produce Child Pornography

>… minor girl named “Taylor Capps” on Facebook, Instagram, Kik, and other social media services, for the …

May 8, 2017

Military Policeman from Lemoore Naval Air Station Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Child Pornography

>… in Nevada and in Bahrain, used accounts on Kik Messenger, Instagram, and Facebook to solicit sexually explicit images …

March 14, 2017

U.S. Attorney Charges Registered Sexual Offender In Westchester County With Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor

>… sexually explicit activity, video it, and transmit it, via Instagram, to OHNMACHT. The Amended Complaint also charges … through February 2017, OHNMACHT communicated online via Instagram with a 14-year-old girl (“Victim-1”) and … would expose Victim-1’s prior videos to her friends on Instagram. OHNMACHT was convicted on August 19, 2003, in …

February 13, 2017

Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography of Boys

>… as a minor girl named “Taylor Capps” on Facebook, Instagram, Kik, and other social media services, for the …

February 10, 2017

Henderson Man Sentenced To Over 10 Years For Possession Of Child Pornography

>… Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip from Instagram of suspected child pornography after Wardlaw …

January 30, 2017

Springfield Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Porn

>… naked pictures via social media, including Snapchat, Instagram and Kik. Frequently, during the conversations, …

January 9, 2017

Prince George’s County Pimp Sentenced to Over 14 Years in Federal Prison for Prostituting 15-Year-Old Child First Contacted Through the Internet

>… Michael Davila recruited a 15 year old female through Instagram to engage in prostitution. Later in January, the …

December 19, 2016

District Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison For Sexually Abusing 11-Year-Old Girl

>… for sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl he met through Instagram when he was 26 years old, U.S. Attorney Channing D. … evidence, Kelsey met the girl during the summer of 2014 on Instagram, concealing his true identity, posing as a … - District of Columbia Defendant Met the Child Through Instagram Project Safe Childhood District of Columbia …

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Disrupting Dangerous Algorithms: Addressing the Harms of Persuasive Technology

December 9, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Chair of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband will convene a hearing titled, “Disrupting Dangerous Algorithms: Addressing the Harms of Persuasive Technology,” at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 9, 2021. This hearing will consider legislative solutions that address the dangers of online platforms’ use of technology to manipulate user experiences. Witnesses will discuss the need for greater transparency of automated processes and artificial intelligence, as well as policies to make platforms accountable for their use of algorithms designed to optimize engagement over harm to users.

WITNESSES

Ms. Jessica J. González, Co-CEO, Free Press

Ms. Rose Jackson, Director, Democracy & Tech Initiative, Digital Forensic Research Lab, Atlantic Council

Dr. Dean Eckles, Associate Professor of Marketing, MIT Sloan School of Management

Mr. James Poulos, Executive Editor of the American Mind, The Claremont Institute

DETAILS

Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband

10:00 a.m.

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Committee Hearing Room, Russell 253

https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2021/12/commerce-committee-announces-algorithms-hearing-on-december-9-2021

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 6, 2021

Four Defendants Sentenced in Connection with Trafficking 13-year-old Minor Victim

Miami, Florida – Four defendants were sentenced in connection with their roles in trafficking a 13-year-old minor victim through the use of online advertisements. The sentences ranged from 16 to 10 years of imprisonment, 15 to 10 years of supervised release, plus restitution and a life-time of registration as a sexual offender.

From approximately May 29, 2019, to June 4, 2019, Jeremiah Horenstein, 24, Racquel Lavette Bijou, 22, and Ashton Gary Lewinson, 26, took the minor victim to engage in at least 100 commercial sex acts at hotels and private residences throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. On June 5, 2019, Bijou recruited the minor victim to work for Souprina Blanc, 29, who further posted online advertisements for minor victim to engage in commercial sex acts.

Each defendant previously pled guilty to sex trafficking of a minor. U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal, who sits in Ft. Lauderdale, imposed the sentences.

Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami; and Alfredo Ramirez III, Director of the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), announced the sentences.

FBI Miami, in particular FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, in partnership with MDPD’s Human Trafficking Squad, and the South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force, investigated the case. FBI Omaha, Nebraska, assisted. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Cervantes prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daren Grove is handling asset forfeiture matters.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

To report suspected human trafficking or to obtain resources for victims, please call 1-888-373-7888; text “BeFree” (233733), or live chat at HumanTraffickingHotline.org. The toll-free phone, SMS text lines, and online chat function are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Help is available in English, Spanish, Creole, or in more than 200 additional languages. The National Hotline is not managed by law enforcement, immigration or an investigative agency. Correspondence with the National Hotline is confidential and you may request assistance or report a tip anonymously.

To learn more about the National Resource Hotline visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. To learn more about the U.S. Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking visit www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 19-cr-20535.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/four-defendants-sentenced-connection-trafficking-13-year-old-minor-victim

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Connecticut

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 6, 2021

Bristol Man Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation Offense

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on December 3, 2021, DAVID MESSIER, 36, of Bristol, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 75 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for receiving child pornography over a mobile dating application.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2017, Messier began communicating with Amber Foley on MeetMe, a mobile dating application. After Messier and Foley exchanged several messages in which they described various sexual acts, Foley asked Messier what he would do if a child walked into the room while she and Messier were having sex. Foley then sent Messier a lascivious picture of the genitals of four-year-old female. Messier responded positively to the picture and requested additional sexually explicit photographs of the female child and a two-year-old male.

Messier was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 27, 2019. On October 31, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.

Messier, who is released on a $150,000 bond, is required to report to prison on January 28, 2022.

Foley, formerly of Meriden, pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography and, on September 8, 2021, was sentenced to 90 months of imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Meriden and Hartford Police Departments, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nancy V. Gifford and Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/bristol-man-sentenced-more-6-years-federal-prison-child-exploitation-offense

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Connecticut

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 6, 2021

Prospect Man Pleads guilty to Enticing Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DENNIS ANTHONY SZANTYR, JR., 47, of Prospect, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on multiple occasions between November 2018 and October 2019, Szantyr used smart phones, tablets and other computer devices, and an interactive computer service, to entice a minor victim under the age of 16 to engage in sexual acts. At times, including during the commission of the sexual acts between Szantyr and the minor victim, the victim was in the custody, care or supervision of Szantyr. Szantyr also took images and recorded video of his sexual contact with the victim.

Szantyr is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on March 2, 2022, at which time he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Szantyr has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on October 31, 2019.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Connecticut State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle thanked the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/prospect-man-pleads-guilty-enticing-minor-engage-sexual-activity

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 12, 2020

Hudson Man Indicted For Production, Receipt, And Possession Of Child Pornography

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of an indictment charging Charles Poole (47, Hudson) with one count of production of child pornography, two counts of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted on all counts, Poole faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Poole that the United States intends to forfeit two cellphones possessed by Poole and alleged to have been used in the commission of these offenses.

According to the indictment, between October 2019 and January 2020, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported several CyberTips involving the receipt and distribution of child pornography over Facebook, between user “charlie.poole.14” and another unidentified user. Using IP addresses provided by Facebook, as well as account information for “charlie.poole.14,” law enforcement identified the user as Poole.

On April 29, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Poole’s residence and discovered hundreds of images of child pornography on his devices, including an image he had produced. Law enforcement determined that the image depicted an approximately 12-year-old girl known to Poole.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Candace Garcia Rich.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/hudson-man-indicted-production-receipt-and-possession-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Nevada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 6, 2021

Las Vegas Man Sentenced For Distributing Child Pornography Using Instant Messaging App

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today to 11 years in prison for distributing more than 600 child pornography images and videos using Kik Messenger, an instant messaging application.

According to court documents, between about September 27, 2019 to November 1, 2019, Cyrus Orlando Ortega (28) distributed child pornography images and videos to other Kik Messenger users, in exchange for child pornography from those users. The images and videos depicted underage victims — some as young as infants — being sexually exploited.

Ortega pleaded guilty in June 2021 to one count of distribution of child pornography. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey sentenced Ortega to a lifetime term of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/las-vegas-man-sentenced-distributing-child-pornography-using-instant-messaging-app

Stockton Man Sentenced to over 11 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking of a Child

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/stockton-man-sentenced-over-11-years-prison-sex-trafficking-child-0

Del Rio Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/del-rio-man-sentenced-10-years-federal-prison-possession-child-pornography

Watertown Man found Guilty of Receipt, Distribution,and Transportation of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/watertown-man-found-guilty-receipt-distributionand-transportation-child-pornography

Suring Teacher Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Sexual Abuse Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/pr/suring-teacher-pleads-guilty-federal-child-sexual-abuse-charges

Omaha Man Sentenced for Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/omaha-man-sentenced-possessing-child-pornography-1

Tampa Woman Who Laundered More Than $2 Million For International “Child Modeling” Websites Sentenced To Over Five Years In Federal Prison

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/tampa-woman-who-laundered-more-2-million-international-child-modeling-websites

Quileute Tribal member sentenced to prison for sexual abuse of minors

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/quileute-tribal-member-sentenced-prison-sexual-abuse-minors

Judge Sentences Mercer County Woman to 9 Years for Distributing Sexual Images of a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/judge-sentences-mercer-county-woman-9-years-distributing-sexual-images-minor

Deer Isle Man Sentenced for Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/pr/deer-isle-man-sentenced-possessing-child-pornography

Waco Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Sexually Exploiting a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/waco-man-sentenced-15-years-sexually-exploiting-minor

Colorado Springs Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/colorado-springs-man-sentenced-20-years-federal-prison-producing-child-pornography

Brazilian National Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Child

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/brazilian-national-sentenced-60-years-prison-sexual-exploitation-child

Four Defendants Sentenced in Connection with Trafficking 13-year-old Minor Victim

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/four-defendants-sentenced-connection-trafficking-13-year-old-minor-victim

Bristol Man Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation Offense

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/bristol-man-sentenced-more-6-years-federal-prison-child-exploitation-offense

Prospect Man Pleads guilty to Enticing Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/prospect-man-pleads-guilty-enticing-minor-engage-sexual-activity

Hudson Man Indicted For Production, Receipt, And Possession Of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/hudson-man-indicted-production-receipt-and-possession-child-pornography

Las Vegas Man Sentenced For Distributing Child Pornography Using Instant Messaging App

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/las-vegas-man-sentenced-distributing-child-pornography-using-instant-messaging-app

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 6, 2021

Jacksonville Man Indicted For Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Images And Videos

Jacksonville, Florida – Acting U.S. Attorney Karin Hoppmann announces the return of an indictment charging Michael Ray King (41, Jacksonville) with possessing images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. If convicted, King faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. King was arrested by FBI agents on November 18, 2021.

According to court documents and information provided in open court, FBI agents executed a search warrant at King’s residence on November 18, 2021. During the execution of the search warrant, FBI personnel seized a computer hard disk drive that was connected to a gaming computer. A forensic review of this disk drive revealed that it contained at least 250 images and 50 videos depicting children being sexually abused.

An indictment is only an allegation and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/jacksonville-man-indicted-possessing-child-sexual-abuse-images-and-videos

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 6, 2021

Federal Jury Convicts Tulsa Man of Sexually Abusing a Minor Under the Age of 12

On Friday, a federal jury found Edward Joseph Parson, 31, of Tulsa, guilty of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country.

“Edward Parson repeatedly sexually abused a young child. He preyed upon the vulnerable child left in his care and then exploited her fear to hide his crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “His attempts to intimidate the victim into silence ultimately failed, and she spoke out three years ago. With the support of family, DHS workers, interviewers, and counselors, she was able to bravely continue to speak out against him, even in the face of enormous pressure at trial. Although still under twelve years old, her testimony last week helped bring this predator to justice.”

“Stopping predators like Mr. Parson is why the FBI works tirelessly with our partners. We are grateful for the conviction of someone who would target our most vulnerable population,” said Rebecca Day, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Oklahoma City.

Beginning likely in 2017 and continuing through most of 2018, Parson repeatedly sexually abused the minor victim who was under the age of twelve. The child eventually disclosed to several adults that Parson had abused her. Unfortunately, the first adults she trusted tried to silence her. Five months later, when she was safely placed with supportive caregivers, she disclosed a portion of the abuse again. That time, her new caregivers listened and called authorities. As the jury heard from a child sexual abuse expert, children often do not disclose sexual abuse immediately. When children do disclose, they frequently disclose in pieces over time as they become more comfortable and as they are met with acceptance and support. The minor victim was then interviewed by child specialists at the Children’s Advocacy Center. During those interviews, she disclosed multiple instances of physical abuse and extensive sexual abuse.

The defendant is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and the crime occurred within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation. The victim is also a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chantelle D. Dial and Vani Singhal are prosecuting the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/federal-jury-convicts-tulsa-man-sexually-abusing-minor-under-age-12

>>15146982

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/pasco-county-man-sentenced-more-17-years-possessing-images-depicting-sexual-abuse

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Nebraska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 6, 2021

Bellevue Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Transporting Child Pornography

Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that James Bushor, 38, of Bellevue, Nebraska, was sentenced on December 3, 2021 for transporting child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Bushor to 96 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Bushor will begin a five-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender. Bushor was further ordered to pay $18,000 total in restitution to six victims whose images were found in his collection.

Cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicated that on April 30 and May 1, 2019, images of child pornography were being uploaded from Bushor’s residence. A search warrant of his residence recovered more than 100 videos and more than 100 pictures of child pornography on various devices. The child pornography included toddlers and images of bondage involving children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/bellevue-man-sentenced-8-years-transporting-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Nebraska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 6, 2021

Council Bluffs Man Sentenced to Prison in Child Enticement Sting

Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Amitkumar Patel, age 42, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced on December 3, 2021 to 96 months’ imprisonment by Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release, Patel will serve a 10-year term of supervised release.

On August 29, 2020, officers with the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force placed an advertisement on skipthegames.com, a website known to be used for prostitution. The advertisement was entitled “A Warm, Wet, PRINCESS Fairy Tale.” The advertisement stated that the escort provided services to men to include face sitting, intercourse-vaginal, intercourse-oral, and oral-receiving.

On September 4, 2020, Patel responded to the advertisement by cellular phone. Patel was informed that the purported provider was 15 years of age. Patel and the purported 15-year-old agreed on a price of $100 for a half hour and Patel, in referencing the advertisement, indicated that he was interested in having vaginal and oral sex with the purported 15-year-old. Patel also agreed to bring a Jimmy John’s sandwich for the purported 15-year-old’s younger sister. Patel then traveled from Council Bluffs, Iowa to Omaha, Nebraska and arrived at the agreed upon meeting spot.

Patel was met by officers in the area of 162nd and Bedford Streets in Omaha. In Patel’s possession was his iPhone, a Jimmy John’s sandwich order, 2 condoms, and $100 cash.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/council-bluffs-man-sentenced-prison-child-enticement-sting

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 6, 2021

South Florida Police Officer Charged in Federal Court with Attempting to Sexually Exploit Child

Miami, Florida – On Friday, 30-year-old Stuart, Florida resident Juan Antonio Garcia appeared in United States magistrate court in Ft. Pierce to face a federal charge that he attempted to produce pornography of a 15-year-old boy. Garcia is a law enforcement officer with the Sewall’s Point Police Department.

According to the recently unsealed criminal complaint affidavit, law enforcement officers received a report on November 22, that Garcia was sending sexually explicit text messages to a 15-year-old boy. According to the affidavit, in text messages, Garcia asked the minor to accompany Garcia to a nude beach in Saint Lucie County. It is alleged that Garcia instructed the minor via text message to put on a condom (which Garcia provided to the minor), masturbate, and send Garcia a photograph of the condom after the minor ejaculated. It is also alleged that Garcia sent text messages to the minor’s phone instructing him to send Garcia a video of the boy masturbating and asking the boy whether he would consider performing oral sex on Garcia. On November 23, Garcia texted the minor’s phone, asking the minor to meet Garcia at a local park for oral sex, according to the allegations. When Garcia arrived at the park, law enforcement officers apprehended him.

Garcia’s detention hearing is set for December 10, and his arraignment is set for December 17. Both proceedings will take place in federal magistrate court in West Palm Beach, Florida. If convicted, Garcia faces between 15 years and 30 years in federal prison.

Sewall’s Point Police Department has placed Garcia on administrative leave without pay, pending investigation.

Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Anthony Salisbury, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office made the announcement.

HSI Miami (Ft. Pierce Office) and Martin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey Bergstrom is prosecuting the case.

Criminal complaints contain mere allegations and defendants are innocent unless and until found guilty in a court of law.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case no. 21-mj-00078-SMM.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/south-florida-police-officer-charged-federal-court-attempting-sexually-exploit-child

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 6, 2021

El Paso Man Sentenced to Over 12 Years in Prison for Enticement of a Minor

EL PASO – An El Paso man was sentenced today to 151 months in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor.

According to court documents, on August 25, 2021, Eduardo Lara Jr., 24, pleaded guilty to one count of enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. By pleading guilty, Lara admitted that he engaged in sexual activity with a 13-year-old on at least two occasions in El Paso in February and March 2020. In March 2021, the parents of the minor reported the child missing. It was later determined that Lara took the child to Mexico where he engaged in sexual activity with the child over the course of several days. Lara further admitted that he sent the child sexually explicit photographs via a social media application and requested such photographs in return.

Lara has remained in custody since his arrest on April 17, 2020.

“This case epitomizes every parent’s worst nightmare. A cyber predator befriended and manipulated a child into running away with him,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “We have a mandate to protect the children in our community from criminals that want to harm them. Today’s sentence reflects this office’s dedication to that mandate.”

“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents and our law enforcement partners, successfully took another child predator off the streets,” said Taekuk Cho, Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI El Paso. “This sentence exemplifies the commitment of HSI to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those individuals who engage in coercing and enticing minors via the internet.”

HSI, with invaluable assistance from the El Paso Police Department and Customs and Border Protection, investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Winters prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/el-paso-man-sentenced-over-12-years-prison-enticement-minor

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of West Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 6, 2021

Morgan County man sentenced for child pornography charge

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Gunner Scott Young, of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, was sentenced today to five years of probation for a child pornography charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Young, age 29, pled guilty to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” Young admitted to having pornographic images involving minors under the age of 12 in June 2019 in Morgan County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley D. Crockett prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/morgan-county-man-sentenced-child-pornography-charge

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of West Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 6, 2021

Hampshire County man sentenced for child pornography charge

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jonathan Burgess, of Augusta, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 70 months of incarceration for a child pornography charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Burgess, age 58, pleaded guilty in December 2020 to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” Burgess admitted to having child pornography images of a minor who hadn’t reached the age of 12 in Hampshire County in September 2019.

During a search of Burgess’s phone, investigators found more than 6,700 images. A search of his yahoo email account found more than 600 images of child pornography.

After serving his sentence, Burgess will be on supervised release for 25 years.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley D. Crockett prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/hampshire-county-man-sentenced-child-pornography-charge

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Montana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Former East Helena police chief admits distributing child pornography

GREAT FALLS – The former East Helena chief of police today admitted allegations that he distributed child pornography in 2019 using social media, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

William Daly Harrington, 43, pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography. Harrington faces a mandatory minimum five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to a lifetime of supervised release.

A plea agreement in the case calls for the government to seek the dismissal of three other counts in an indictment if the court accepts the agreement.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and set sentencing for April 13, 2022. Chief Judge Morris will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Harrington was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that in September 2020, a Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s deputy, who is a member of the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, investigated a tip that Facebook Messenger had reported one of its accounts distributed child pornography to another account. The investigation determined that the Facebook Messenger account distributing child pornography belonged to Harrington. Account records showed that on Dec. 17, 2019, Harrington sent 11 images using Messenger to another account. Some of the images depicted child pornography. On Jan. 27, 2021, a search warrant was served on Harrington’s residence in Lewis and Clark County. Law enforcement seized Harrington’s cellular phone, which was analyzed and found to contain images and videos of child pornography. Harrington admitted that he owned and used the Facebook Messenger account that distributed child pornography.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyndee L. Peterson and Wendy A. Johnson are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Bozeman Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/former-east-helena-police-chief-admits-distributing-child-pornography

https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/update-on-us_russia-policy120721

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of New Jersey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Repeat Offender Admits Possessing Child Pornography

TRENTON, N.J. – An Ocean County, New Jersey, man today admitted possessing thousands of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Andrew Ramey, 34, of Brick, New Jersey, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an information charging him with one count of possession of child pornography.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From March 13, 2020, through June 8, 2020, Ramey downloaded and shared material containing images of child sexual abuse, via the BitTorrent Network, a publicly available online peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing network of linked computers. Users must download P2P software, which is widely available for free on the Internet. The software allows the user to place files into a designated “shared” folder on his or her hard drive, from which other BitTorrent users can then download those files directly to the “shared” folders of their own computers. Users can then search, select, and directly download, those files.

Law enforcement used investigative software to access the BitTorrent Network and downloaded video files containing images of child sexual abuse from a device or devices assigned to an IP address at Ramey’s residence. On Nov. 13, 2020, law enforcement searched Ramey’s residence and seized mobile phones belonging to Ramey. Analysis revealed the phones contained thousands of images and videos containing images of child sexual abuse, as well as BitTorrent software.

In a prior federal prosecution in 2018, Ramey was convicted of one count of possession of child pornography in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. For a repeat offender, the possession charge in the information carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, along with a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for April 12, 2022.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Atlantic City, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina in Newark; detectives of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer; the Brick Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Riccio; and the Mount Laurel Police Department, under the direction of Chief Stephen Riedener, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander E. Ramey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/repeat-offender-admits-possessing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Green Bay Man Sentenced for Distribution of Child Pornography

Acting United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on December 3, 2021, Dakota P. Van Frachen (age: 26) of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach.

Van Frachen possessed and distributed numerous digital images and videos of child pornography. Van Frachen’s indictment and subsequent conviction were the result of a referral from a similar investigation in the District of New Jersey.

In handing down the sentence, Judge Griesbach noted the serious nature of the charge, the effect these crimes have on their victims, and the need for just punishment. Following his release from prison, Van Frachen will spend five years on supervised release. Van Frachen was also ordered to pay a $5,000 special assessment. He will be required to register as a sexual offender.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Green Bay and Newark Offices. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/pr/green-bay-man-sentenced-distribution-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of New Hampshire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

CONCORD - Michael A Clemence, 36, of Rochester, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of child pornography, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February of 2020, the Homeland Security Investigations New Hampshire office received information that on April 28, 2019, an individual originating from an IP address at a Rochester residence had accessed a website known for sharing child sexual abuse and exploitation material. Clemence was identified as the subscriber of the target IP address.

On May 26, 2021, agents conducted a consensual interview with Clemence. They advised him they were investigating internet activity associated with child exploitation material and that some of the activity occurred in April of 2019 from the IP address associated with his previous address. Clemence made no admissions but volunteered that his wife had previously found disturbing material on their home computer and that they subsequently wiped the computer’s hard drive and gave the computer away. Clemence’s wife later confirmed that in May of 2019, she discovered thousands of images of what appeared to be child exploitation material on Clemence’s laptop computer.

After further investigation, a search warrant was executed at Clemence’s residence, which resulted in the seizure of numerous electronic devices. Forensic examination of the devices confirmed the presence of child exploitation material. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children identified 1,351 images as depicting known minor victims.

Clemence is scheduled to be sentenced on March 21, 2022.

“Protecting vulnerable young people from exploitation is among the most significant duties of law enforcement,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Those who possess or distribute sexually explicit images of children are further exploiting the innocent youths who were abused during the creation of these images. To protect young children from exploitation, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who commit crimes related to child pornography.”

“Child exploitation material is an enduring record of the terrible abuse of children. Those who seek out and collect that material create a market for its production and the continued exploitation of children,” said Matthew Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations’ Boston Field Office. “Homeland Security Investigations will continue our work alongside our partners at the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children task force to ensure those like this individual face the consequences for their participation in these horrible crimes.”

This matter was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with assistance from the Rochester Police Department and Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/pr/rochester-man-pleads-guilty-possession-child-sexual-abuse-material

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Connecticut

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Torrington Man Charged with Kidnapping Minor

Leonard C Boyle, Acting U.S. Attorney of the District of Connecticut, today announced that CHRISTOPHER JESUS CONSTANZO, 19, of Torrington, has been charged by a federal criminal complaint issued in the District of Connecticut with kidnapping a minor.

Constanzo was originally charged with this offense in the District of Vermont. He appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle in Vermont and agreed to remain in custody pending his transfer to the District of Connecticut for further prosecution.

As alleged in court documents, on December 2, 2021, at approximately 7:27 a.m., Constanzo and a minor female (“minor victim”) arrived by car at the U.S. Port of Entry at Highgate Springs, Vermont. Just prior to their arrival, officials at the St-Armand/Philipsburg Border Crossing in Canada had refused Constanzo and the minor victim entry into Canada. After U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers separated Constanzo from the minor victim, the victim reported that she met Constanzo the night before at Stillwater Pond State Park in Torrington. Constanzo then sexually assaulted the minor victim, forced her into the trunk of the minor victim’s car, restrained her with a shoelace, and then began driving. At some point during the night, Constanzo removed the minor victim from the trunk and sexually assaulted her again. As they neared the Canadian border, Constanzo has the minor victim sit in the front passenger seat of the car. Constanzo instructed her to “act normal” and “go along with the story.” Constanzo then told Canadian Border Services Agency officials that the minor victim was his sister and they intended to go into Canada for four days to visit friends. However, due to their lack of COVID tests, Constanzo and the minor victim were denied entry into Canada.

The complaint alleges that Constanzo is the subject of a pending sexual assault investigation in Connecticut for another incident that occurred earlier this year.

The complaint charges Constanzo with kidnapping, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 25 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. The penalties this matter are enhanced because the victim is a minor.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Vermont State Police and the Torrington Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj N. Patel and Nancy V. Gifford in the District of Connecticut, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Lasher in the District of Vermont.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/torrington-man-charged-kidnapping-minor

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Colorado

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Former Executive Officer of the Southern Ute Tribe Sentenced to 13.5 Years in Prison for Sexually Assaulting a Child

DURANGO – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that McKean Walton, age 52, of Ignacio, Colorado, was sentenced to 13.5 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and a $5,000 special assessment. Walton is the former Executive Officer of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, headquartered in Ignacio, Colorado. Walton resigned from his position in September 2020, following his arrest in this matter.

According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, Walton sexually assaulted a twelve-year-old child in his care on multiple occasions in Fall of 2010 and Summer of 2011. Walton committed the sexual assaults by using force, while in the living room of a home on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.

“Our office will enforce the law against all offenders, no matter what position of authority they hold,” said United States Attorney Cole Finegan. “While justice may have been long in coming in this case, thanks to the courage of the victim and the tenacity of our law enforcement partners, justice has finally arrived.”

“This sentence rightly holds Mr. Walton accountable for his deplorable conduct in this case,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider of the FBI Denver Division. “The FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to thoroughly investigative crimes against the most vulnerable members of our community, regardless of how many years have passed since the time of the incident.”

United States District Court Judge Robert Blackburn issued the sentence on December 7, 2021. Walton pleaded guilty on July 30, 2021.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey K. Graves handled the prosecution.

Case number: 20-cr-00260-REB-JMC

https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/former-executive-officer-southern-ute-tribe-sentenced-135-years-prison-sexually

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Bradford Man Sentenced to 6 Years for Receiving Sexual Images and Movies of Children

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Bradford, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 72 months in jail, to be followed by five years of supervised release on his conviction of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children. Sutton was also ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution to each of three separate victims and a $5,100 special assessment, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Daniel Thomas Sutton, 33, 595 South Kendall Avenue, Bradford, Pennsylvania

According to information presented to the court, Sutton received computer images and movies depicting minors, some as young as toddlers and infants, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Chung commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Sutton.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/bradford-man-sentenced-6-years-receiving-sexual-images-and-movies-children