Christopher King, Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Child, California 2024

Red Bluff Man Charged with Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Child

A federal grand jury has returned a three-count indictment against Christopher King, 29, of Red Bluff, California, charging him with attempted sexual exploitation of a child and distribution and possession of visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

According to court documents, King attempted to sexually abuse a minor by producing secret recordings of the minor using a hidden camera. King also distributed images of children involved in sexually explicit conduct on an online social media platform. Finally, King possessed several images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct on electronic devices seized from his residence.

The case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitnee Goins is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of attempted sexual exploitation of a child, King faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, restitution, and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of distribution of a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, King faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, plus restitution and a fine. If convicted of possession of a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, King faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, plus restitution and a fine.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven beyond a reasonable doubt. King was arrested on May 16, 2024, and the case is ongoing.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/red-bluff-man-charged-attempted-sexual-exploitation-child-other-offenses