Waterford resident and registered sex offender sentenced to 50 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of several children following ICE HSI investigation

DETROIT — A Waterford man was sentenced today to 50 years in federal prison after having pleaded guilty to production of child pornography and commission of an offense against a child by a registered sex offender, announced acting Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris III, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Jostin Arthur Desco, 28, was sentenced by United States District Judge Judith E. Levy.

According to court records, Desco sexually exploited at least ten different children using a variety of methods. Desco sexually assaulted a 7 year-old boy who he knew well, recorded that abuse, and sent it to others on the dark web. Desco also used fake personas to convince several teenage boys to produce sexually explicit images and videos of themselves. Desco, using this fake persona, then convinced the boys to send the material to him. Desco then blackmailed several victims into producing more child pornography for him. Desco even attempted to get some victims to commit sex acts on their siblings as part of the extortive conduct. Desco was also a member of several groups, both on the dark web and the open web, that traded child pornography. Some communications between Desco and other were recovered, including one series of messages where Desco stated, “Yes I am sick and yes I am a monster.”

Desco committed most of these crimes while on parole for a previous offense of distributing child sexually abusive material. That crime required him to register as a sex offender.

“The actions of this defendant are reprehensible and demonstrate how a sexual predator can use the internet to victimize innocent children,” said US Attorney Ison. “The lengthy sentence in this case will ensure that Desco will never be able to harm a child again. It should send a clear message that those who prey on our most vulnerable citizens will be held accountable. We also hope this sentence helps to bring closure to the victims and their families.”

This case was investigated by HSI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin M. Mulcahy and Rosemary Gardey.

HSI is a directorate of ICE and 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 over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

Learn more about HSI’s child exploitation mission @HSIDetroit.