Los Angeles-area man pleads guilty to producing thousands of sexually explicit images and videos involving children following HSI investigation

LOS ANGELES — A South Bay man pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges for producing thousands of sexually explicit images and videos of nearly three dozen children and developing a relationship with at least one boy in the Philippines who performed sex acts online in exchange for money.

As the result of a probe by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles, Billy Edward Frederick, 51, of Redondo Beach, pleaded guilty to a two-count information charging him with production of child pornography for transportation into the United States and enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity.

According to his plea agreement, Frederick stored various images and videos depicting child pornography in his Google accounts, at least some of which he obtained from video calls on Google Hangout.

One video from July 2020, in which a boy who appears to be between 11 and 14 years old, engages in sexual activity while Frederick records the video call. In messages sent relating to the video call, the victim calls Frederick “MASTER.” In chats between Frederick and the victim prior to the video call, the boy asks to borrow money to purchase underwear. Immediately after the call, Frederick chatted online with the boy, who asked for money to be sent to his brother.

Frederick admitted to producing more than 5,000 images and videos of child pornography involving at least 35 different children by requesting these children engage in specified sexually explicit activity in exchange for money. Some of the videos and images depicted minor victims under the age of 12 being used for sexual acts.

A sentencing hearing has scheduled for March 14, 2022, at which time Frederick will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

HSI takes a victim-centered approach to child exploitation investigations by working to identify, rescue and stabilize victims. HSI works in partnership with NCMEC, ICAC partners, and other federal, state and local agencies to help solve cases and rescue sexually exploited children. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to NCMEC’s toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST. HSI is a founding member of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of DHS and a vital U.S. asset in combatting transnational crime and threats. One of HSI’s top priorities is to protect the public from crimes of victimization, and HSI’s child exploitation investigations program is a central component of this mission set. HSI is recognized as a global leader in this investigative discipline, and is committed to utilizing its vast authorities, international footprint and strong government and non-government partnerships to identify and rescue child victims, identify and apprehend offenders, prevent transnational child sexual abuse, and help make the internet a safer place for children.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California’s Violent and Organized Crime Section.