Tucson, Ariz. – In a disturbing case of child exploitation, Rico Wilbert, 38, of Purvis, Mississippi, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for assisting the producer of child pornography.
Wilbert’s term of imprisonment will be followed by lifetime supervised release requiring him to register and abide by sex offender conditions.
This disturbing case came to light after agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) discovered chats in which Wilbert encouraged and requested videos of Josue Cota sexually abusing children.
The agents arrested Wilbert after a nine-month investigation in 2016 and 2017, during which time he repeatedly asked Cota for ‘new’ material and encouraged him as he sexually assaulted his victims.
Cota was sentenced in federal court to 60 years’ incarceration for production of child pornography in February 2019.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the government in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Wilbert pleaded guilty on August 27, 2018, to aiding and abetting the production of child pornography. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James A. Soto on May 8, 2019.
The investigation in this case was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, Douglas Office, and the prosecution was handled by Carin C. Duryee and Carmen F. Corbin, District of Arizona, Tucson.
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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