A Jefferson County man is facing the harsh reality of his twisted desires after being sentenced to 40 years in prison for recording the sexual abuse of a minor.
Matthew Gamel, 36, of Pevely, Missouri, had admitted to sexually abusing the victim on at least four occasions and recording it. The victim was under 14 years of age at the time of the abuse.
Gamel’s guilty plea was entered in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in February, where he pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of receipt of child pornography. The case was investigated by the Pevely Police Department and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes is prosecuting the case. The FBI’s St. Louis Division praised the partnership with the Pevely Police Department, saying, ‘We are pleased with today’s sentencing and appreciate the hard work and partnership with the Pevely Police Department to bring justice to the victim.’
The FBI noted that the sentencing would ‘help with the process of healing the trauma the defendant unconscionably inflicted on a young vulnerable child.’ This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Gamel’s 40-year sentence is a stark reminder that those who prey on the innocent will face severe consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Related Federal Cases
- 40 Years for Pedophile’s Crimes: Pevely Man Sentenced for Recording Child Abuse · Missouri
- Belton Man Gets 30 Years for Child Porn · Kansas
- David D. Lerssen Jr. Gets 8 Years for Child Porn Distribution · Missouri
- Brett Corcoran Gets 15 Years for Child Porn Production · Maryland
- Maryville Sex Offender Edward Grimes Gets 19 Years for Child Porn · New York
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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