Tristan Kalobbe Martin, a 29-year-old man from Putnam County, Indiana, has been sentenced to over 24 years in federal prison for production of child pornography in the Eastern District of Texas.
Martin pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 293 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on July 21, 2025. The sentencing comes after Martin was found to have exploited a minor from Jasper County, Texas, through an online gaming app.
According to information presented in court, Martin began communicating with the 15-year-old minor in June 2022, despite being told their age. The communication continued, and law enforcement authorities in Jasper County contacted their counterparts in Indiana, leading to the seizure of Martin’s cell phone.
The cell phone contained nine videos of the minor engaging in sexually explicit behavior, which formed the basis of the production of child pornography charge. The case was investigated by the FBI, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jasper Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove.
This case was prosecuted 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. The project aims to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.
Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs announced the sentencing, highlighting the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in bringing perpetrators to justice. The case serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by online gaming apps and the need for parents and guardians to be vigilant in monitoring their children’s online activities.
The sentence handed down to Martin reflects the severity of the crime and the need to protect children from exploitation. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the Department of Justice will continue to work tirelessly to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse, and to bring those responsible to justice.
In a statement, the Department of Justice emphasized the importance of reporting suspicious online activity and encouraged anyone with information about child exploitation to come forward. The case of Tristan Kalobbe Martin serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued vigilance in the fight against child sexual exploitation.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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