Related Federal Cases
- Robbie Newby, Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Tyler TX, 2013 · Washington
- Michael Lynn Carter Sentenced to 8 Years for Child Exploitation, Mu… · Oklahoma
- Marcus Wayne Hall, Possessing Child Exploitation Images, Muskogee O… · New Mexico
- Desmond Trevain Manago, Sex Trafficking of a Child, Seattle WA, 2014 · Washington
- Robert Samuel Stark, Enticing Minor for Illegal Sexual Activity, We… · Washington
Steven Glenn Christiansen, Child Sexual Exploitation, Colorado 2025
A 69-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in an online forum that worked to sexually exploit dozens of minor victims in Colorado.
Steven Glenn Christiansen, of Fort Collins, Colorado, used a mobile messaging application with end-to-end encryption to access “invite only” group chats in which users exchanged images and videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The members of these groups would share livestreams and save files on third-party platforms, typically of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct at the members’ behest.
Christiansen communicated directly with other users to request and exchange CSAM. After executing a residential search warrant at his residence, several digital devices were seized containing images and videos of CSAM, and the defendant admitted to possessing thousands of images.
Christiansen pleaded guilty in August 2025 to one count of possession of child pornography. He was previously convicted in the state of Colorado in March 2000 for sexually assaulting a child.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly for the District of Colorado, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Marvin Massey of the FBI Denver Field Office made the announcement.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.
“This sentence reflects the severity of the defendant’s crimes and the importance of protecting children from exploitation and abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly for the District of Colorado. “We will continue to work tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice and keep our communities safe.”
Christiansen will also be required to serve a lifetime of supervised release after his prison sentence.
Key Facts
- State: Colorado
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News