⏱ 2 min read
A 34-year-old Yankton, South Dakota man, Robert Barbetti, was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for producing child pornography. The sentencing took place on July 6, 2026, after Barbetti pleaded guilty on April 6, 2026. Between 2018 and 2023, Barbetti used social media platforms to target minor children, coercing them into producing child sex exploitation materials for his own gratification. The investigation was led by the FBI, with assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Barbetti’s crimes included coercing a juvenile male in Texas to perform sexual acts on his own prepubescent brother and record them, as well as persuading a minor female in Virginia to produce videos of herself naked from the waist down while committing indecent acts. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota prosecuted the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb handling the prosecution. U.S. Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange handed down the sentence, which includes 8 years of supervised release and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.
Once released from federal prison, Barbetti will be required to register as a sex offender. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to protect children from exploitation and abuse, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office stating that protecting innocent children is a top priority.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Sex Crimes
- Defendant: South Dakota
- Location: SD
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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