FRESNO, Calif. – Thomas Layman Binford, 55, of Clovis, California, is facing a lifetime behind bars after a federal grand jury indicted him on charges of attempting to coerce and entice a minor into illegal sex acts and possessing sickening child pornography. The indictment, unsealed yesterday, details a calculated and disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.
According to court documents, Binford actively sought out a 13-year-old victim through the Skout social media application. He then traveled to a park in Fresno on the evening of July 28, 2020, with the clear intention of meeting and engaging in unlawful acts with the minor. Law enforcement intervened, arresting Binford at the park before any further harm could be inflicted.
The arrest wasn’t the end of the depravity. A search of Binford’s cell phone revealed a digital warehouse of abuse – over 250 images depicting the sexual exploitation of children. These images paint a grim picture of a man consumed by a horrific obsession, a digital collection built on the suffering of vulnerable victims.
This investigation was a coordinated effort, bringing together the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Clovis Police Department, Fresno Police Department, and the Fresno Office of Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian W. Enos will lead the prosecution, ensuring Binford is held accountable for his actions. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case closely.
If convicted of attempting to entice a minor, Binford faces a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison, with a potential life sentence and a $250,000 fine. The charge of receiving child pornography carries a mandatory minimum of fifteen years, with a maximum of forty years imprisonment, and another $250,000 fine. These are just potential penalties; the final sentence will be determined by the court, considering all relevant factors.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat the escalating crisis of child sexual exploitation. The program focuses on identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting predators like Binford, while also prioritizing the rescue of victims. Information about Project Safe Childhood and internet safety resources can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc. It’s crucial to remember that these are allegations, and Binford is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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