OAKLAND, CA – Michael Lee Patterson, 44, of Brentwood, is headed to federal prison for a decade and five months after pleading guilty to sickening crimes and illegal weapon possession. U.S. District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. delivered the sentence today, slamming Patterson for his depravity and disregard for the law.
Patterson was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 18, 2024, and later confessed to receiving and possessing child pornography, as well as being in possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle. The case took a particularly disturbing turn with revelations in the plea agreement that Patterson attempted to meet an individual he *believed* to be a 13-year-old girl with the intent to commit sexual acts. This predatory behavior fueled the severity of the sentence.
A search following Patterson’s arrest uncovered a digital cesspool: over 600 videos and more than 1,000 images depicting the sexual abuse of minors. Beyond the digital horrors, law enforcement also seized an unregistered short-barreled rifle – a clear violation of federal firearms laws requiring registration with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Patterson’s attempt to skirt the law with an illegal weapon added another layer to his criminal conduct.
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of Patterson’s crimes and sends a clear message that the exploitation of children and illegal gun possession will not be tolerated,” stated United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian in a released statement. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) San Francisco Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and local law enforcement agencies including the Brentwood, Concord, Walnut Creek Police Departments, and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office.
Judge Gilliam didn’t stop at the 103-month prison term. Patterson will also serve a 10-year period of supervised release after his incarceration and is ordered to pay restitution. He was immediately taken into custody to begin serving his sentence, a small measure of justice for the victims and a warning to others considering similar crimes.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonah P. Ross and Claudia Hyslop prosecuted the case. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on further developments in federal criminal justice. This case highlights the continued need for vigilance in combating online exploitation and enforcing firearms regulations.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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