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Eugene Predator Gets 24 Years for Cross-State Child Exploitation
EUGENE, Ore. – Vincent Alan Elder, 32, of Eugene, Oregon, will spend the next 288 months in federal prison for a chilling scheme to exploit and coerce children in Oregon, New York, and Florida. The sentence, handed down today, also includes a lifetime of supervised release and $30,000 in restitution to his three victims – $10,000 to each.
Court documents paint a disturbing picture of Elder’s methods. Beginning in 2022, he used social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram to groom and contact the minor victims. The manipulation wasn’t limited to online interactions. In Florida, Elder sent online payments to a victim in exchange for nude photos. In Oregon, he upped the ante, delivering vape pens, food orders, and even leaving bags of cash near the victim’s home as incentives. The most sinister tactic was reserved for a New York victim: when they attempted to cut off contact, Elder threatened to reveal information to their mother and even involve their younger sibling – a textbook example of sextortion.
The FBI moved swiftly once alerted to the allegations. In November 2023, agents executed search warrants on Elder’s person, devices, and a motel room. The subsequent search of his digital footprint yielded damning evidence: chats with victims, the Oregon victim’s personal details, and explicit images of the Florida victim. Elder was arrested on December 1, 2023. A federal grand jury in Eugene returned a seven-count indictment on January 18, 2024, charging him with Using a Minor to Produce a Visual Depiction of Sexually Explicit Conduct and Attempt, Coercion and Enticement of a Minor and Attempt, and Possession of Child Pornography.
Elder ultimately pleaded guilty on July 29, 2025, to two counts of Using a Minor to Produce a Visual Depiction of Sexually Explicit Conduct (related to the New York and Florida victims) and one count of Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor (regarding the Oregon victim). United States Attorney Scott E. Bradford made it clear: “I am thankful for the brave victims who came forward, and I am grateful to the law enforcement agencies who helped bring this dangerous predator to justice. We will continue to seek significant prison sentences for anyone who targets our communities’ children.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson echoed that sentiment. “Investigating crimes against children is some of the most important work we do at the FBI,” Olson stated. “The crimes committed in this instance were egregious, and we moved swiftly to stop the predatory behavior. Even one child subjected to such abuse is one too many.” This case was a joint effort, with the Springfield and Eugene Police Departments assisting the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney William M. McLaren prosecuted the case.
If you have information about child exploitation, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Remember, child pornography isn’t just an image; it’s documentation of horrific abuse, re-victimizing children with every view. Learn more at www.missingkids.org. This case was conducted under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation.
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Key Facts
- State: Oregon
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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