Chad Michael Lehofer, Child Pornography, Virginia 2023

Grimy Times Exclusive: Fredericksburg Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges

Alexandria, VA – In a disturbing case of online exploitation, Fredericksburg resident Chad Michael Lehofer, 37, pleaded guilty to production and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The charges stem from his interactions with a minor online between December 11, 2018, and April 8, 2019.

According to court documents, Lehofer repeatedly engaged in sexually explicit discussions with the minor, coercing them to produce and send explicit pictures and videos. When the minor attempted to break off contact, Lehofer pretended to be a different person and continued to communicate with them online. He even sent threatening messages, claiming he was watching the minor’s house and would expose them to others if they didn’t comply.

Law enforcement obtained a warrant to search Lehofer’s cell phone and discovered numerous images and videos of child sexual abuse material involving prepubescent minors. This is not Lehofer’s first offense, as he was previously convicted in Connecticut in 2006 for state offenses involving the sexual abuse of two minors.

Lehofer faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine his sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 16, 2023.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative brings together federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children online, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

Local authorities are urging the community to be aware of the prevalence of online exploitation and to report any suspicious activity. Residents can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) CyberTipline at 1-800-843-5678 or submit a report at report.cybertip.org to report incidents involving online sexual exploitation.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia is prosecuting the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zoe Bedell and Lauren Halper, as well as Trial Attorney Eduardo Palomo from the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, leading the effort. Lehofer’s plea serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting our children from online predators and the severe consequences of such crimes.

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