A former Austin ISD teacher has been sentenced to 84 months in prison, or 7 years, for engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places. Michael Wayne Roberts, 41, was living in Medellin, Colombia when he paid money for sex with three Colombian girls between the ages of 13 and 15 on multiple occasions between December 2020 and June 2021.
According to court documents, Roberts was arrested on September 15, 2022 and has remained in federal custody. He pleaded guilty in February to all three counts in his indictment. In addition to the prison sentence and supervised release, the U.S. district judge ordered Roberts to pay $147,844.51 in restitution to the victims. He must also register as a sex offender.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Jaime Esparza, praised the diligent work of the Colombian National Police and Homeland Security Investigations in leading to the arrest and prosecution of Roberts. Esparza stated that the sentence reflects that those who engage in sexual conduct with minors will be held accountable for their heinous, predatory crimes.
Homeland Security Investigations’ Acting Special Agent in Charge, Alejandro M. Amaro, noted that protecting children remains a top priority for the agency. He stated that the sentence is a testament to HSI’s commitment to identifying individuals who prey on vulnerable populations.
The case was investigated by HSI and the Colombian National Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Henneke prosecuted the case.
Roberts’ sentencing is a reminder that those who commit crimes against children will face severe consequences. His actions have caused irreparable harm to the victims and their families, and he will now face the consequences of his actions.
In this case, the defendant’s position of trust as a teacher made his crimes even more egregious. The community can rest assured that those who abuse their positions of power will be held accountable.
Related Federal Cases
- Steven Robert Sablan, Kidnapping and Transporting a Minor with Intent to Commit Criminal Sexual Activity, Texas 2024 · Texas
- Kraig David Van Winkle, Transporting Minor for Criminal Sexual Activity, Texas 2020 · Texas
- Dylan Wayne Cowdrey, Sexual Abuse of Minor, California 2017 · Wyoming
- Michael Ray Beam, Child Pornography Production, Arkansas 2023 · Arkansas
- Steven Anthony Jackson, Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Alabama 2022 · Connecticut
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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