ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Eagle River man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for producing and possessing child pornography, a heinous crime that has left a victim with irreparable damage.
Michael Vernon Ross, 32, began sexually abusing a 7-year-old child in 2017. The abuse occurred weekly and lasted for multiple years, with Ross documenting some of the abuse through pictures and videos kept on his cell phone. He was in possession of over 450 photos and 30 videos of varied length depicting his sexual abuse of the victim.
On Sept. 3, 2021, classmates of the victim told school staff that they believed the child was being abused. The school took appropriate and timely action to report the abuse to law enforcement, which led to the prompt investigation and prosecution of the defendant.
Ross pleaded guilty in September 2023 to one count of sexual exploitation of a child for production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison, 25 years’ supervised release, and is required to pay over $28,000 in restitution.
In imposing the maximum sentence for the production of child pornography, the court noted that while it doesn’t have the power to “bring back the victim’s childhood, there can be provision for just punishment.”
U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska called Ross’ actions “deplorable” and stated that the U.S. Attorney’s office will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute individuals who target children. Tucker encouraged the public to report suspected abuse to ensure the safety of Alaska’s children.
The FBI Anchorage Field Office and Anchorage Police Department investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Brickey and Adam Alexander prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the federal government.
Related Federal Cases
- Michael Whitmore, Child Pornography Distribution, Alaska 2023 · Alaska
- Joshua Michael Evans, Possession of Child Pornography, Alaska 2016 · Washington
- Anthony A. Moore Admits to Sexually Abusing Minor, Jefferson County… · Alabama
- Michael Eugene Williams, Possession of Child Pornography, Jacksonvi… · Washington
- Walter William Onstad, Child Pornography Distribution, Alaska 2024 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Alaska
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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