Samborski Gets 20 Years for Sickening Child Porn

ORLANDO, FL – Thomas Samborski, II, 41, of Orange County, Florida, will spend the next two decades behind bars after being sentenced today for the production of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza handed down the 20-year federal prison sentence, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Samborski will also be required to pay restitution and register as a sex offender upon his release – if he ever sees freedom again.

The case dates back to March 1, 2015, when Samborski posted sexually suggestive images of three minor children on a file-sharing website. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents quickly zeroed in, executing a search warrant at Samborski’s residence on March 6, 2015. The search uncovered a digital trove of depravity – an iPhone 6 Plus packed with hundreds of lascivious images of a young female child, created just days prior, on March 1st and 3rd.

But the iPhone was just the beginning. Agents also seized additional electronic devices and media containing even more child pornography, including photographs depicting the sexual abuse of infants and other vulnerable victims. The sheer volume of disturbing material painted a grim picture of Samborski’s predatory behavior. He pleaded guilty in July 2016, finally admitting to his heinous crimes, though the damage was already done.

“This criminal has caused irreparable harm to a young child and he will now spend the next 20 years in prison for these crimes,” stated Susan L. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Tampa. While no sentence can undo the trauma inflicted, authorities hope this outcome brings a sliver of solace to the victim and their family. It’s a small victory in a battle against a horrific epidemic.

The investigation was spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorney Ilianys Rivera Miranda skillfully prosecuted the case, ensuring Samborski faced the full weight of the law. This case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice, dedicated to combating the escalating crisis of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Project Safe Childhood coordinates federal, state, and local resources to track down, arrest, and prosecute those who prey on children, and to rescue victims trapped in this nightmare. Anyone with information about child exploitation is urged to report it to the authorities or visit www.justice.gov/psc to learn more about the initiative and how to help protect vulnerable children.