MACON, Ga. – In a shocking turn of events, Robert Abacan, a 44-year-old Valdosta resident, has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for producing child pornography. Abacan pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography.
The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson, who ordered Abacan to serve 30 years for count one and 20 years for count two, to be served consecutively. This means Abacan will spend a total of 50 years behind bars before being released. Upon his release, he will have to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Abacan’s co-defendant, Frances Abacan, 43, of Valdosta, received a 15-year prison sentence for producing child pornography. She was also ordered to serve 25 years of supervised release after completing her sentence. Like Abacan, she will be required to register as a sex offender.
The investigation into Abacan’s crimes began in 2018, when the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office received information about the production of child pornography. The case was brought to light when a video of the abuse was transported from California to Valdosta.
U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary praised the work of law enforcement agencies in bringing Abacan to justice. ‘The Abacan’s actions were monstrous, but today justice has been served. This fifty-year sentence guarantees that Robert Abacan will never again be able to harm children,’ he said.
The FBI also commended the efforts of law enforcement agencies in the case. ‘The FBI is extremely grateful to our law enforcement partners for bringing this case to our attention so that we could hold this couple accountable to the greatest extent of the law,’ said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project was launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, and aims to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.
Related Federal Cases
- Child Pornography Ring Busted: 8 Indicted for Exploiting Minors · Indiana
- Convicted Sex Offender Arrested with Child Pornography · California
- Alberto F. Islas Pleads Guilty to Armed Sexual Assault at Fort Benning · Georgia
- Rot Van Nguyen Charged in Louisiana for Sex Offender Registration Fail · Louisiana
- Mark C. Simpson, Child Support Fraud and Drug Conspiracy, Atlanta G… · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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