Huntington, W.Va. – A federal jury has delivered a guilty verdict in the case of Matthew Corban Hagy, a 51-year-old man from Memphis, Tennessee, convicted of producing and possessing child pornography in Putnam County, West Virginia.
Evidence presented in court revealed that Hagy took nude photographs of a 5-year-old boy and produced a graphic video of the child during his visit to the state in December 2020. A search of his phone uncovered over 700 additional images and videos of child pornography.
Hagy was initially hired as a caretaker for a family member visiting the area, but his true intentions were far from innocent. He admitted to taking a picture of the boy in a statement given to police, but denied any wrongdoing. However, the jury saw through his lies and found him guilty on both counts of the indictment.
The defendant now faces a minimum of 15 years and up to 50 years in prison, along with a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
United States Attorney Will Thompson commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the South Charleston Police Department, and the Secret Service for their role in bringing Hagy to justice. Assistant United States Attorneys Julie White and Greg McVey and the trial team were also praised for their efforts in securing a guilty verdict.
Hagy’s sentencing is scheduled for September 6, 2022. This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood is a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local authorities to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
The case is a stark reminder of the importance of vigilant reporting and law enforcement efforts in protecting our most vulnerable citizens. As the investigation and prosecution of child pornography cases continue to evolve, it is clear that the consequences for those who prey on children will be severe and long-lasting.
Related Federal Cases
- Philip Stephen Plyler, Child Exploitation, West Virginia 2024 · Connecticut
- Matthew Thompson, Distributing Child Pornography, Virginia 2020 · New York
- William Rhodes, Child Pornography Distribution, Virginia 2023 · Tennessee
- Andrew Scott, Child Luring, Alabama 2024 · Alabama
- Jancent M. Powell, Failure to Pay Child Support, Charleston WV, 2023 · Tennessee
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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