NORFOLK, Va. – A Ruther Glen man was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in prison for distributing child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, in early 2022, Joseph Butts, 50, a registered sex offender as a result of a prior rape conviction involving a minor, began messaging over various social networks with an undercover agent from the FBI. During the months-long communications, the defendant sent child sexual abuse material to the FBI agent and repeatedly sought to arrange an in-person meeting with the agent, who was posing as a parent of a twelve-year-old daughter, so that the defendant could pay for sex with the fictitious child.
A search warrant at defendant’s residence later uncovered additional images and videos of child sexual abuse material.
Joseph Butts, a registered sex offender, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for distributing child sexual abuse material in the Eastern District of Virginia.
The case highlights the ongoing threat of child sexual exploitation and abuse, which continues to plague our communities.
As part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI is working tirelessly to combat this growing epidemic.
“We will continue to work with our partners to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children online,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Our priority is to protect our children and keep them safe.”
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-053.
“This case is an example of the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement,” said Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office. “We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any instances of child sexual exploitation.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Mozzi.
Defendant: Joseph Butts
Criminal Charges: Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material
City: Norfolk
State: Virginia
Exact Date: Not specified in the source, but the crime occurred in early 2022
Sentence: 15 years in prison
Affiliated Organization: None
Related Federal Cases
- Kevin Javon Taylor, Receiving and Storing Child Sex Abuse Material, Virginia 2021 · Virginia
- Joseph Downing Barnes Jr., Child Porn Distribution, Virginia 2023 · Virginia
- Jaycee Stewart, Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material, Utah 2023 · Hawaii
- Robert Wayne Roady, Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Oregon 2020 · Hawaii
- Adam Salgado Jr., Possession of Child Sex Abuse Images, CT, 2024 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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