According to The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, a Screven County man faces a minimum of five years in federal prison after admitting that he distributed child pornography. The plea carries a possible penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

From the Press Release:

Daniel Boulineau, 34, of Sylvania, Ga., pled guilty in U.S. District Court to Distribution of Child Pornography, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The charges carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a statutory maximum of up to 20 years, along with substantial financial penalties, registration as a sex offender, and a period of supervised release following incarceration. There is no parole in the federal system.

“The resolution of this case once again serves notice that we and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue predators who prey upon vulnerable children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “As a result of this investigation, Daniel Boulineau will be held accountable for his crime.”

As outlined in court documents and testimony, in early August 2020, Boulineau admitted that he electronically distributed images and videos of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. An investigation by the FBI and the Child Exploitation Task Force into online activity led to Boulineau’s arrest on Sept. 1, 2020.

A sentencing date has not yet been set.

“The distribution of child pornography is an attack against the most vulnerable members of society,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “No sentence for this man will remove the scars left on the children victimized by his crimes, but hopefully it will serve as a warning that the FBI will use any resources necessary to apprehend anyone who carries out these appalling crimes.”

The case is being investigated by the FBI, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Tara M. Lyons.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says a former University of Georgia professor who admitted to authorities that he possessed hundreds of images of child pornography entered a guilty plea in federal court for his crime.

Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia said James Edward Monogan, III, 39, of Athens, pleaded guilty to one count possession of child pornography before U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal. Monogan faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison to be followed by a maximum lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Monogan will also have to register as a sex offender. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to the plea agreement, Homeland Security Investigation’s Atlanta Office (HSI-Atlanta) received information in 2019 that KIK user “utbballplaya03” had distributed child pornography to another KIK user in February 2019. KIK, formally known as Kik Messenger, is an internet based instant messaging mobile application. HSI also received a second child pornography distribution complaint for KIK user “texan21225053.” Both KIK usernames belonged to Monogan. On September 5, 2019, HSI, the GBI and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department executed a federal search warrant at the defendant’s residence in Athens, seizing several electronic devices. Monogan’s UGA office was also searched. A forensic review of the defendant’s electronics located 452 images of child pornography and eight videos depicting child sexual exploitation material on his UGA laptop, as well as an additional 119 images of child sexual exploitation material on his cell phone. Some of these images involved minors under the age of 12.

“Monogan actively participated in the evil world of child pornography and brazenly engaged in his criminal behavior using a computer belonging to his employer. He will spend many years inside a federal prison for his crime, ” said Acting U.S. Attorney Leary. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners for tirelessly working to protect the most vulnerable members of our society and holding child sex offenders accountable.”

“Today’s plea is the result of the strong partnership that Homeland Security Investigations has with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department,” said Katrina W. Berger, special agent in charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta. “By working together to leverage our respective resources and expertise, we have removed a dangerous child predator from the community.”

“This investigation demonstrates that no matter who you are, you will be held accountable for preying on children. We value our law enforcement partnerships to be able to work together in these type investigations to catch and punish criminals who seek to exploit one of our most vulnerable populations,” said GBI Director Vic Reynolds.

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. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), the GBI and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker is prosecuting the case for the Government.

A former Pelham, Georgia resident, caught by Homeland Security Investigations distributing large amounts of child pornography on social media while he was attempting to foster a child, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for his crimes last week, according to Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.

Michael King, 42, of Little Falls, New York, formerly of Pelham, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner to 188 months in prison, the top of the federal guideline sentencing recommendations, to be followed by ten years of supervised release after pleading guilty to distribution of child pornography. King will have to register as a sex offender upon release from federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

HSI agents determined that Kik app user “Silent Dream 78” had posted images of child pornography to a Kik messenger chat group from July to August 2018, and the user was likely King. A search warrant was executed at King’s Pelham home on January 17, 2019, where agents found seven computer media items that contained child pornography. King admitted that his Kik user names were “Silent Dream 78” and “SilentDream1977” and that he had been downloading and viewing child pornography “for forever.” On five occasions, King used the Kik chat messenger app to share child pornography, including images involving very young children. During sentencing, the Court noted that King engaged in highly detailed ideation in the form of online text messages with another online collector of child pornography about having sex with a foster or adopted child and allowing another sex offender to have sex with the child when the child arrived. King claimed that the text messages were fantasy. However, the Court noted that the defendant and his wife were well along in the foster/adoption process. The defendant has been in custody since the execution of the search warrant at his home in January 2019.

“It is deeply disturbing that King was attempting to foster a child, while at the same time fantasizing about sexually harming a foster child and allowing another sexual predator to do the same. HSI agents stopped a child predator from doing irreparable harm to an innocent child. We must continue to bring the full force of the law against child sexual predators. Those individuals caught distributing child pornography will be prosecuted and will face federal prison, without parole,” and said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “We will not stop working alongside our federal, state and local partners to protect Georgia’s children and bring child predators to justice.”

“No sentence will ever bring back the innocence that this monster has stolen from countless helpless children,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “HSI will continue to aggressively pursue those who seek to victimize our most vulnerable members of society and prosecute those predators to the fullest extent of the law.”

The case was investigated by the Pelham Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.

A former U.S. Army Specialist has pleaded guilty in a child exploitation case, after sneaking a Florida teen on base and taking more than 100 photos and films of her in the nude, said Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.

Samuel Ray Robinson, 23, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, October 27, to one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity before U.S. District Judge Clay D. Land. Robinson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and up to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a maximum term of supervised release of life. Defendant will also be required to register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system. His sentencing hearing is set for December 17, 2020.

According to the stipulation of fact entered in court, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Fort Benning CID Office was contacted on June 14, by the Walton County, Florida Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) regarding a 13 year old female runaway (Victim 1), who left her Santa Rosa Beach, Florida residence on or about May 27. On June 2, Victim 1 contacted her mother via cellphone and provided her with a “pin” of her location at a Columbus motel. Local Columbus authorities were dispatched to the hotel, and Victim 1 was transported back to Florida.

A forensic examination of the phone revealed Victim 1’s phone “pinged” on Fort Benning between May 27 and June 2, and she had been communicating with Robinson. During an interview with agents, Robinson admitted he met Victim 1 online and picked her up at a gas station in Destin, Florida. Robinson also admitted he knew the victim was a minor when he picked her up, thinking her to be 15 years old. Robinson snuck Victim 1 onto Fort Benning, where she stayed for six nights, engaging in sexual intercourse. Victim 1 was also filmed and photographed in the nude by Robinson more than 100 times.

“Robinson targeted a vulnerable minor online, took her hours away from home, and kept her hidden, abusing her repeatedly. He will pay a steep penalty for his egregious crime—federal prison without parole,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “I want to thank Fort Benning CID, the Columbus authorities and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office for investigating this case and bringing the victim safely home.”

“Robinson’s behavior is not tolerated in the U.S. Army and hopefully this will be of some solace to his victim and prevent him from targeting other such vulnerable people,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Micah Rush. “I want to thank all of the investigative and legal efforts made by the Special Agents of the Fort Benning CID Office, our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s office.”

The case was investigated by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Fort Benning CID Office (CID) and Walton County, Florida Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) with assistance from the Columbus Police Department (CPD). Assistant U.S. Attorney Shanelle Booker is prosecuting the case for the Government.

An Evans man awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography.

Oludare Oluwabusi, 43, of Evans, pled guilty to one count of Possession of Child Pornography before U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The charge carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, a requirement for registration as a sex offender, and a period of supervised release after completion of the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Each time they are created, stored, shared or viewed, images of child pornography represent the encapsulated, continual victimization of minors,” said U.S. Attorney Christine. “Possessing images of child pornography is a violation of the law, it is sickening and it is depraved, and with the collaboration of our vigilant law enforcement partners, we will not tolerate it.”

As outlined in court documents and testimony, in April, FBI agents acted on a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children when they searched Oluwabusi’s home in Riverwood Plantation. An agent later testified in court to finding graphic images of child pornography on multiple devices belonging to Oluwabusi that were seized from the home.

“The FBI will always make it a top priority to keep our children safe and work with our federal, state and local partners to track down anyone involved in this abhorrent behavior,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta.

The FBI is investigating the case, which is being prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Tara M. Lyons.

John Miles, Jr. has been Candler County’s top law enforcement officer since March 2016. The small rural county of almost 11,000 is one term into a new regime that followed what was the incumbency of the longest sitting sheriff in the state of Georgia. The 250-square mile county with just one municipality embodies what people think of when they hear ‘rural America’ which makes for a quaint and comfortable place to call home that can sometimes be difficult to govern.

But in four and a half years and on a shoestring budget of sorts, Miles has transformed the Candler County Sheriff’s Office, accelerated the agency into the technological age with competitive pay for deputies, and increased the amount and the quality of services provided — not always an easy feat in southeast Georgia where citizens prefer ‘the way it’s always been done’ and, for many decades, ‘who you know and why’ determining your level of influence.

After trudging through two highly contested elections within eight months of each other, Miles had, for lack of a better word, miles to go in building trust in the community and mending bridges where they had been burned thanks to politics. His first eight months in office were soiled by the divisiveness of a perpetual campaign cycle, much of which overshadowed many of the reforms immediately instituted in the office. The premature departure of longtime sheriff Homer Bell and the appointment of an interim sheriff, Blake Hendrix, meant the tenure for Miles’ after his victory in the special election in March would either be short-lived and conclude in the general election or would total at least four years, long enough to make his case to Candler Countians on his traditional – yet simultaneously rogue – approach to policing.

Though it has not always been considered ‘old school,’ Miles’ view of the duty of the Sheriff’s Office is traditional and constitutional.

He takes the position that everything that happens inside the boundaries of Candler County is in the jurisdiction of and is the responsibility of the Candler County Sheriff’s Office. “We’re the baseline law enforcement in the county,” Miles says, referring to the constitutional definition of a sheriff, which has the duty to “preserve the peace and protect the lives, persons, property, health and morals of the people” while maintaining the jail and the ‘sword’ of the court.

That is a sizable duty, but while campaigning five years ago, Miles promised an increase in just about everything: services afforded to citizens, equipment and resources, transparency with the public, training for staff, and support for deputies and jailers.

Much of that meant is what often draws the most criticism: spending money. But in Candler County’s case, the public was more prepared for change than most anticipated.

The Sheriff’s Office budget has increased since Miles took over, primarily with personnel costs. Human capital and the related expenses account for roughly 90% of the annual budget, leaving the rest for operations. In four years, Miles has added just four positions – two of which are in the schools and one is permanently at the courthouse. But in the case of the school deputies, the Board of Education makes payments to the county directly and not to the Sheriff’s Office, meaning the Sheriff’s budget does not reflect the offset.

As for the new position for the courthouse, it was an immediate addition to comply with state law. Courthouses in Georgia are required to have a POST-certified deputy on the premises when the Clerk’s Office is open. In years past, Candler was not in compliance with this mandate – which is the duty of the Sheriff’s office to ensure it is met – and on-duty deputies would rotate assisting with coverage, often leaving the courthouse unmanned. Now, one deputy is dedicated on a full-time basis to the judicial building.

School Safety & School Resource Deputies

CCSO partners with the Candler County School System to employ two deputies that cover the school campuses, with an office in each building. The initiative was a campaign issue for Miles in 2016 as there had not previously been a working relationship with the Board of Education, which now funds 80% of the salaries for the deputies assigned to the schools. Because the Board of Education makes the payment to the county directly and not to the Sheriff’s Office, the increases look greater than they actually are. Nevertheless, Miles says the additions have been extremely successful.

The Office has also facilitated assessments by higher ranking agencies, including the FBI, to assist with improvements for school safety, active shooter training, and overall logistics.

More Training for Deputies & Jailers

Miles attributes the ease in increasing the budget for training to a great working relationship with the county commissioners.

The Office provides in-house training on a monthly basis, with one major focus being the Senior Deputy Certification training, which can take several years. The state minimum of 20 hours of training per year is peanuts for deputies in Candler. Miles says both deputies and jailers are encouraged to take classes relevant to their job duties whenever possible and most exceed the baseline standards. Jailers and dispatchers who wish to participate can sit in on training as well or, if they simply want to learn more about the subject matter for informational purposes, the office will stream the training for them to watch from their post or at another time.

The Office encourages continued education, including associates and bachelor’s degrees, outside of the agency, too.

Equipment, Cameras & Vehicles

Funded almost entirely by SPLOST money, the Office has made substantial investments into a radio system, vehicles, computers, and state-of-the-art camera systems that double down on Miles’ commitment to transparency. He says the cameras protect the public and his deputies and the citizens have largely welcomed the idea.

“We’ve had great support from the community, all across the board,” Miles says. “Once we got out and explained what we did and why, it’s been really positive for us.”

No place has benefitted from cameras more than the jail, however. Cameras are now in every location in which an inmate travels and even jailers wear body cameras. In an era of litigiousness and endless allegations, the jail complex surveillance, which is monitored around the clock, has provided an additional layer of accountability for both inmates and staff.

The office didn’t previously provide duty weapons, either. Deputies brought their own from home, but Miles said it is imperative for his deputies to have quality firearms, protective vests, and access to regional communication portals.

And while a point of contention, for a time, was the radio system that pulled $700,000 from the SPLOST fund for public safety, the dent in the coffer for what was previously an outdated and borderline failing infrastructure changed the game for public safety generally – not just CCSO.

Transparency & Data Maintenance

The recordkeeping systems and methods for analyzing data under the previous administration are a stark contrast from the future of the office that Miles promised on the campaign trail and hit the ground running to implement on Day 1.

The Office now tracks everything deputies do – from miles traveled, house checks conducted, and interactions initiated to fuel used, warnings issued, and civil service actions taken for every single deputy on every shift. The improvement to the software systems as well as a greater understanding by staff in regard to what the technology is able to do means more accurate data for the office as a whole. Miles believes that an abundance of data provides an avenue for acknowledging successes and highlighting where improvements are still needed. He also says it helps identify budgetary needs and where resources should be allocated, as well as providing concise statistics that are paramount for public trust. The conventional approach to policing and management of the office was one that Candler County had previously not known.

“We’re tracking activity like never before,” Miles said. And even more so with registered sex offenders, which has a dedicated person responsible for maintaining the database and ensuring accurate reporting to the GBI.

The results are tangible.

The average response time through the end of September was 4:28 when including deputy initiated calls. In the first nine months of the year – and despite COVID-19 life changes – the office dispatched for 10,873 calls for service, with CCSO deputies responding to 6,050 of those. 449 inmates have been booked into the Candler County Jail and the Office keeps tabs on 46 registered sex offenders.

Interagency Partnerships Outside of the County

Miles takes the approach that interagency partnerships are paramount, which is why the office partners with regional drug task forces, neighboring agencies, and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS).

CCSO, which is home for nearly every deputy employed with the agency, has a great working relationship with Bulloch County and the Statesboro Police Department. Candler County doesn’t have a K9 unit and often relies on BCSO for assistance, providing a cost savings for Candler citizens and additional training and deployment logs for the K9 handlers.

CCSO’s participation in the GOHS partnership means they are eligible for grant funds, equipment surpluses, and regional assistance for traffic enforcement and DUI safety checks. The Office also relies on GSP for assistance with traffic accidents, though in recent years, deputies have become more proficient in traffic accident reporting, which Miles says is obviously a good thing.

Each means that the office can provide more services. The Sheriff’s Office has revolutionized how it interacts with the public, too. For starters, it isn’t always because something bad happened or because someone needs help. Miles has instituted a house check program for citizens, which has been overwhelmingly successful. From January to September 2020, the Sheriff’s Office conducted 9,422 house checks, which is in addition to the automated phone system used to routinely check on seniors and others who live alone. Additionally, the office has hosted internal fundraisers and donated to charitable organizations in the community, like the Boys & Girls Club of Candler County.

Miles has never asked his deputies to do anything he is not willing to do either. He still responds to calls, keeps a handle on the operations of each shift, and is present in the community. His deputies, he says, know that they can reach him anytime – day or night – if they can’t get in touch with a supervisor. “I always want them to ask if they have a question,” he echoed, saying officer discretion is not compromised by getting a second opinion.

But some things about small communities will never change.

Some people still want to talk to the Sheriff and only the Sheriff and Miles says he will field questions and concerns from anyone who asks. “Sometimes they just want to vent. They may know I can’t change it or do anything about it, but they just want someone to listen and say ‘I understand.’ I’ve been cussed out and hung up on, though, because I won’t do someone a special favor,” Miles said chuckling.

Law enforcement has changed considerably, even in the last decade. With the around the clock national media attention and heightened scrutiny of police behavior, public opinions on law enforcement have soured in many communities…but not in Candler County. “We haven’t seen that kind of animosity that you’re seeing in other places,” Miles said. “It may be our relationships with the community.”

There is no ‘perfect’ agency and Miles says there are still plenty of things he would like to do. Ever-increasing training for deputies and a culture of encouragement for more employees to pursue their degrees is at the top internally. With the public, maintaining their trust is at the forefront day in and day out.

But the job is rewarding for him, even with the stressors and curve balls, something he credits solely to the support he’s seen for the operations and the office as a whole.

He likens it to another kid. “To see where we were and where we are now, it gives me a little bit of pride to know what we’ve done as a team,” he said.

“When I ran for this office, the community was very split which was really reflected in the vote count. At the time, you don’t know the reasons people are voting for you and those who don’t, but I think I’ve gained the support from the people I didn’t initially. And not from a campaign standpoint. Having their trust in my decision making, having the support of the deputies and staff – there is no way I could do this without the people that I have here. I’m very lucky. I can’t imagine it without the staff and the ones who do the heavy lifting. And I’m very proud of that and I’m very thankful.”

Terence Dewayne Dixon has been sentenced for running an online chat group that he named “House of 1000 Littles.” The chat group was dedicated to sharing child pornography and discussing child molestation. At the time, Dixon had already been convicted in 2001 of the aggravated sexual assault of a nine-year-old child.

“Dixon disseminated horrific images of child pornography to members of his online chat group,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “He also encouraged others to share child pornography that fueled a demand for the violent exploitation of children.  This lengthy prison sentence serves as some recompense for the irreparable harm he caused to so many children and their families.”

“The monsters that visited this site and found pleasure in exploiting innocent children now have one less place to sow their evil seeds and one less organizer to help them do it. Dixon’s sentencing is warning to those who revel in and peddle this filth,“ said acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “HSI Atlanta and its state and local partners are hunting down these criminals that look to steal the innocence of our youth.”

“For this defendant to take the images of innocent children and pass them around in order to exploit them and use them to arouse in a sexual nature is absolutely despicable. The GBI is committed to working with our partners to stop this criminal behavior and protect our young ones,” said Vic Reynolds, Director, Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: As early as November 2017, Terence Dixon created an online chat group and named it “House of 1000 Littles.” Members of Dixon’s group discussed how they were sexually aroused by children and sent one another links to child pornography files on a daily basis until October 2018.

On a single day in January 2018, for example, Dixon shared 21 links containing child pornography with the group. On another date, in February 2018, he bragged that his shared link contained 5,000 videos of child pornography. Investigators identified the majority of his chat group living all across the United States, including in the states of California, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee.

Terence Dewayne Dixon, also known as “Devilman Crybaby”, 38, of Houston, Texas, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $12,000 in restitution. He must also register as a sex offender upon release. Dixon was convicted of conspiracy to advertise child pornography on July 23, 2020, after he pleaded guilty.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keen prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Daniel Strickland, who molested two minors in his care and produced child pornography of them, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

“Strickland’s crimes will haunt his victims and their families for years,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “Instead of safeguarding the children in his care, he sexually exploited them. Thankfully, one of his victims came forward and reported him to law enforcement. Her courage prevented Strickland from traumatizing other children.”

“Strickland will spend the next 25 years of his life in prison, which should send a strong message to anyone who even contemplates harming a vulnerable and defenseless child,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Along with our state and local law enforcement partners, the FBI is committed to working collectively to prosecute child predators.”

“It is the mission of the Murray County Sheriff’s Office to serve its citizens with dignity and honor. The safety of our children is the utmost importance and dearest to our heart.  We are thankful that a victim in this case was brave enough to come forward and bring this matter to our attention so that justice could be served to Strickland,” said Jimmy Davenport, Chief Deputy, Murray County Sheriff’s Office.

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: Strickland molested and took sexually explicit photos of two minor girls who had been in his care. Strickland first came to the attention of law enforcement in February 2019 when one of the victims contacted the Murray County Sheriff’s Office (“MCSO”) to report his actions. This victim had been staying at his home when Strickland molested and photographed her.

A subsequent investigation by the FBI and MCSO revealed that Strickland took sexually explicit photos of this girl and another minor girl, who he had babysat several years earlier in 2015. Both girls were approximately 13 years old when Strickland victimized them, and in both cases Strickland abused and photographed them when they were asleep (or appeared to be asleep). In July 2019, he pleaded guilty to two counts of child molestation arising from these incidents in Murray County Superior Court.

Daniel Strickland, 46, of Chatsworth, Georgia, was sentenced to 25 years in prison to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He will be required to register as a sex offender upon release. Strickland pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child pornography on June 18, 2020.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Murray County (GA) Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex R. Sistla and Nicholas Hartigan prosecuted the case.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.

This is a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Edward “Eddie” Okenica, who exploited dozens of girls online for his own sexual gratification, has been sentenced to 28 years of imprisonment after pleading guilty to multiple counts of producing child pornography.

“Okenica victimized dozens of girls as young as 12 years old from his home,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “He is a sexual predator who exploited the vulnerability and fragility of his victims by relying on the relative anonymity of social media platforms. This case is a reminder that sextortion remains a huge threat to our youth and to their families and parents need to remain vigilant to guard against it by monitoring their children’s social media activities.”

“The Internet can be used for education, entertainment, collaboration, or it can be a place where criminals and predators lurk waiting to pounce on unsuspecting users. That’s how Okenica used it. He spread his filth, victimizing countless innocent children, all the while thinking he was safe,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “Cases like this show these predators that there is no hiding from justice and HSI and its partners will work tirelessly to find and prosecute them.”

“The High Technology Crime Unit at the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is comprised of dedicated professionals who work diligently to build strong cases against criminals like Okenica who seek to target our children.  I am happy that the FCSO could help build a case that the U.S. Attorney’s Office could prosecute federally.  We will spare no expense or effort to identify and arrest anyone intent on preying on our most vulnerable,” said Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman.

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: For at least two years prior to his arrest in August 2019, Okenica used Snapchat and Instagram to solicit sexually explicit photographs and videos from dozens and dozens of young girls. Okenica convinced many of these girls to send him sexually explicit photos and videos by offering them “bribes” in the form of gift certificates or other token forms of payment. He also frequently demanded that these girls perform sexually humiliating acts, including placing various household objects in their bodies. In many instances, the girls would grow uncomfortable and beg Okenica to stop. But Okenica was indifferent to their pleas, even when the girls cried or harmed themselves.

If the girls expressed an unwillingness to keep producing more photos or videos, Okenica bullied, threatened, and extorted the girls to force them to continue. He threatened to share their videos online with the girls’ friends and/or family, and in multiple cases did in fact carry out his threats. If a girl blocked Okenica on Snapchat or Instagram, he frequently established new accounts to find the child and demand that she send him more sexually explicit photographs and videos.

Investigators positively identified approximately 36 victims in the United States and overseas. But investigators estimate that Okenica coerced as many as 100 minor victims to send him child pornography.

Edward “Eddie” Okenica, 24, of Cumming, Georgia, was sentenced to 28 years in prison to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He will be required to register as a sex offender upon release. Okenica pleaded guilty to eleven counts of producing child pornography on March 5, 2020.

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex R. Sistla and Erin Sanders prosecuted the case.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.

This is a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.