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A 59-year-old Chinese national, Tong Chen, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for possessing and distributing child pornography in Hudson, Ohio. The investigation began in May 2024, after the Circleville Police Department identified suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) linked to Chen’s residence. In July 2024, federal agents seized a desktop computer and external hard drives from Chen’s home, which contained over 5,400 CSAM images and videos. The sadistic and masochistic content included bondage, bestiality, and infants and toddlers being assaulted.
Chen pleaded guilty in December 2025 to Receipt and Distribution of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct, and Possession of Child Pornography or Child Sexual Abuse Materials. He was sentenced to 160 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $67,500 in restitution. Chen also faces deportation from the United States upon completion of his sentence.
The FBI Cleveland Division led the investigation, with assistance from the Circleville Police Department and Hudson Police Department. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Chen’s sentence reflects the severity of his crimes, which involved the possession and distribution of thousands of images and videos of child sexual abuse. The investigation and prosecution of such cases are crucial in protecting children from exploitation and abuse.