North Texas man who produced child pornography by raping 4 young children sentenced to 60 years in federal prison
DALLAS — A North Texas man was sentenced Wednesday to 60 years in federal prison for producing and possessing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox, Northern District of Texas.
On Nov. 14, 2017, special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a search warrant at the home of Jon Anthony Terry, 30, in Rockwall, Texas.
The search warrant described several child pornography files that Terry distributed, and law enforcement intercepted. The videos and images depicted children as young as toddlers engaged in sexually explicit conduct. After agreeing to speak to agents, Terry admitted to sexually abusing one of the children who was currently residing with him. HSI special agents seized several media devices containing incriminating media.
Upon reviewing Terry’s media collection, HSI special agents discovered more than 1,000 videos and images of prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts. Additionally, they uncovered videos and images that Terry himself had produced of four children, including the one Terry had previously admitted to molesting. The children ranged in age from 2 to 10 years old.
On Dec. 13, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted Terry on four counts of producing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. On Feb. 19, 2019, Terry pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child pornography, each punishable from 15 to 30 years in prison.
On Sept. 11, 2019, Chief Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn heard evidence at the sentencing regarding the abuse these children had suffered. Three of the victims’ parents provided statements that detailed the extreme emotional and physical suffering that the children endured, and still endure, from Terry’s criminal actions. The Court sentenced Terry to 720 months in federal prison and supervised release for life.
“As lengthy as it is, 60 years in prison will never compare to the lifetime of pain and suffering the innocent children in this case have been sentenced to. Plain and simple, the criminal in this case is a monster whose disgusting actions stripped these victims of their innocence and dignity,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, special agent in charge of HSI Dallas. “Homeland Security Investigations special agents won’t ever relent when it comes to protecting children and prosecuting predators whose behavior has no place in our society.”
“We will not tolerate criminals who target innocent children,” said U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox. “I am proud of my office and the investigating agents’ efforts in this case. The investigation and prosecution of these horrific crimes reinforces our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in our society — our children.”
This case involved the coordinated efforts of HSI and the Ozark Arkansas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Camille Sparks, Northern District of Texas, prosecuted this case.
This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 19,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child exploitation material, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2018, more than 3,000 (3,191) child predators were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 850 (859) victims identified or rescued.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its 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.
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