NORFOLK, Va. – Grimy Times reports that Robert Lee Petty, 43, of Virginia Beach, has been sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison for his involvement in the production of child pornography. Petty was also sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release upon his completion of the prison term.
Child pornography is considered one of the most heinous and serious crimes in the entire criminal code, as stated by Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Petty pleaded guilty to the charges on September 1, 2016, and according to court documents, he forced a child to produce child pornography for his viewing pleasure for approximately five years, beginning when the child was just 11 years old.
Several videos depicted Petty in the same room as the child during the production of the content, highlighting the severity of his crimes. Petty’s actions are a stark reminder of the devastating impact that child predators can have on innocent children and their families.
Boente emphasized that bringing awareness to these prosecutions is crucial in protecting our children from sexual predators and deterring others from committing similar crimes. Petty’s sentence serves as a warning to those who would engage in such heinous activities, that they will be held accountable for their actions.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth M. Yusi 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. The program marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, along with the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, worked tirelessly to bring Petty to justice. The case serves as a testament to the dedication and hard work of law enforcement agencies in their pursuit of justice for victims of child exploitation.
Those who wish to learn more about Internet safety education can visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:16-cr-119.
Related Federal Cases
- Robert Lee Petty, Producing Child Pornography, VA 2016 · Virginia
- Jordan Lee Adams, Child Pornography Production, North Carolina · Virginia
- LaMarcus Thomas, Child Pornography Production, Virginia 2024 · Virginia
- Matthew Anthony Keller, Production of Child Pornography, Fort Worth… · Virginia
- Lucas Aronson, Child Pornography Production, VA 2024 · Virginia
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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