Mark McLeod Wygant, Transportation of Child Pornography, California 2015

Chico Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Transportation of Child Pornography

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a shocking turn of events, U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. handed down a 10-year prison sentence to Mark McLeod Wygant, 46, of Chico, for his role in the transportation of child pornography.

The charges against Wygant stem from an investigation that revealed he had been secretly filming a child using a hidden cellphone and hidden ‘spy cameras’ that he had purchased for the purpose. The disturbing footage was then transported from a location in Butte County to South Lake Tahoe, where Wygant worked as a South Lake Tahoe Fire Department captain.

According to court documents, Wygant’s heinous crimes took place from early 2011 to early 2012. He has been in custody since his arrest on January 29, 2015. The charges against him do not relate to any conduct committed during the course of his interaction with the public during his job duties.

The case was the product of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the South Lake Tahoe Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew G. Morris prosecuted the case, bringing Wygant to justice for his crimes.

Wygant’s sentence is a stark reminder that those who prey on children will be held accountable for their actions. As part of the nationwide initiative Project Safe Childhood, Wygant’s case marks another victory in the fight against child sexual exploitation and abuse.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the ‘resources’ tab for information about internet safety education.

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