Texas man sentenced to 40 years for producing, possessing child sexual abuse material

GALVESTON, Texas — A Texas man has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for producing and possessing child sexual abuse material following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston’s Galveston Office and the Pearland Police Department.

Sean Michael Kriss, a 40-year-old resident of Brazoria, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to 30 years for the sexual exploitation of a child and 10 years in prison for possession of child sexual abuse material. The sentences will run consecutively for a total of 40 years in federal prison. The judge also ordered Kriss to register as a sex offender and serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he must comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet.

Kriss pleaded guilty to the charges on June 1, 2022.

During the investigation, law enforcement officials determined that Kriss had shared a video on Snapchat that he had created on his cell phone featuring a minor girl. Authorities obtained a search warrant for his residence and seized his electronic devices. A subsequent forensic examination of those items resulted in the discovery of child sexual abuse videos and images depicting the minor victim. In total, authorities found 408 images and two videos of child sexual abuse in his collection.

At the hearing, the court heard additional information including a letter from the victim’s mother detailing how Kriss’ actions destroyed their family and caused them significant stress and anxiety. She further detailed how his betrayal took away their sense of security. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted that Kriss committed these acts against a victim who was at a vulnerable age.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sherin Daniel and Kimberly Leo prosecuted the case.

For more news and information on HSI’s efforts to aggressively investigate child exploitation and child sexual abuse material in Southeast Texas, follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @HSIHouston.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.