Patrick Tran, Child Sex Exploitation, Texas 2025

Patrick Tran Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Child Sex Exploitation

A 42-year-old Cypress resident has been ordered to federal prison for multiple convictions involving the victimization of children for more than 10 years, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.

Patrick Tran pleaded guilty on October 25, 2025, to four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen sentenced Tran to a total of 540 months in federal prison.

According to the investigation, Tran enticed 23 different minor victims on a video chat site into taking off their clothes and screen recorded it. He then used the videos to extort them into sending additional material and threatened to expose or harm the victims. One victim explained how Tran made her feel like an object – one he abused physically and mentally without even touching her. The victim also disclosed that she had contemplated suicide, thinking that was her only way out of the nightmare.

Tran was further ordered to pay over $108,000 in restitution to one of the victims and will serve the rest of his life on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Tran will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

The investigation began in October 2020 when a relative reported suspicious communications indicating Tran had directed a minor to send him nude photos. Forensic analysis of the victim’s device revealed chats in which Tran solicited photos and videos. He threatened to post a video unless the victim sent additional images. Tran also directed how she should position herself and what to show. Feeling threatened and scared, the victim complied.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Tran’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices. A forensic examination revealed approximately 650 videos depicting minors, some under the age of 10, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

The FBI – Houston conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Ann Leo and Luis Batarse prosecuted the case, which 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.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/cypress-resident-sent-prison-45-years-after-soliciting-nearly-2-dozen-minors