Battle Creek Woman Gets 30 Years for Child Pornography

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Lori Ann Roth, 53, of Battle Creek, was handed the maximum sentence today, a chilling 30 years in federal prison, for producing child pornography involving a victim under 12 years old. The U.S. Attorney Patrick Miles announced the devastating verdict.

Roth’s depravity reached new heights when she pled guilty in November 2014 to sexually exploiting a child in a dark conspiracy with Brandon Schroth, a 41-year-old serial child molester. Schroth traveled the globe from 2009 to 2011, photographing and abusing children. Roth met him online in a chatroom where they shared their heinous interests.

The two met in Michigan multiple times to carry out their twisted agenda. They lured a child with adult lingerie, alcohol, and even prescription medication to facilitate the abuse. Photographs of the sexual misconduct were sent around by Schroth and eventually discovered during an Atlanta investigation that led back to him.

In 2012, Schroth pled guilty in federal court in California to 12 counts of producing child pornography and aggravated sexual abuse of various children. His sentence is a life sentence with 40 years already served. His information led to Roth’s identification and prosecution.

Chief U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney was visibly disturbed by the case, stating that he had never seen a defendant with such depravity. He recommended Roth seek mental health help while in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tessa K. Hessmiller prosecuted the case, which is part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative to protect children from exploitation.

Project Safe Childhood brings together federal and local law enforcement to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals like Roth and Schroth. Anyone with information about child exploitation should contact local law enforcement immediately. For more on resources and Project Safe Childhood in West Michigan, visit here.