FRESNO, Calif. – Jacob Eric Blanco, 25, of Fresno, is facing a federal indictment on charges of preying on young girls, according to U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert. A grand jury returned a six-count indictment on Thursday, alleging Blanco systematically exploited children through online communication and manipulation.
The indictment details five counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of distributing child pornography. Court documents reveal Blanco allegedly used popular apps – including Musical.ly and KIK – to target and groom girls under the age of 12, coercing them into creating and sending sexually explicit images. This isn’t a case of accidental exposure; it’s a calculated, predatory scheme.
The investigation originated with a chilling report from Nassau County, New York. The parents of a six-year-old girl alerted local police after discovering Blanco, allegedly using the Musical.ly app, had solicited explicit images from their daughter. That initial report sparked a wider federal investigation led by the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and investigators are now actively working to identify additional victims potentially targeted by Blanco.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa is spearheading the prosecution, and the stakes are high. If convicted on each count of sexual exploitation, Blanco faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, with a potential maximum of 30 years per count. The distribution of child pornography carries a 5-20 year sentence. Beyond imprisonment, Blanco could face a $250,000 fine for each count and lifetime supervised release.
However, sentencing remains at the court’s discretion, taking into account statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. It’s crucial to remember that these are allegations at this stage, and Blanco is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is a stark reminder of the dangers lurking online and the vulnerability of children in the digital age.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat the escalating epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project brings together federal, state, and local resources to bring predators to justice and rescue victims. For more information and internet safety resources, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. This isn’t just about one indictment; it’s about protecting our children from those who would seek to harm them.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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