Vallejo Man Gets 7 Years for Child Porn Distribution

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Robert Patton McGee, 53, of Vallejo, is headed to federal prison for seven years after admitting to a sickening habit: distributing child pornography. U.S. District Judge Garland E Burrell Jr. handed down the sentence today, following an investigation sparked by a tip from Facebook itself.

The case unraveled when Facebook alerted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to suspicious images uploaded to a profile. That alert triggered a probe that led law enforcement to McGee’s residence in June 2014. During questioning, McGee didn’t bother denying his involvement, freely confessing to sending and receiving depraved content through both Facebook and email.

Investigators didn’t just take McGee at his word. A deep dive into his online activity revealed the scope of his crimes. Between November 10, 2011, and May 9, 2014, McGee systematically distributed thousands of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. The sheer volume speaks to a deliberate, sustained effort to spread this horrific material.

The Sacramento Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a multi-agency operation funded by both federal and state sources and managed by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department, spearheaded the investigation. This isn’t some isolated incident; the ICAC actively hunts down those exploiting children online, tackling everything from child pornography to sex trafficking.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy J. Kelley successfully prosecuted the case, securing the seven-year sentence. This conviction is part of a larger national effort known as Project Safe Childhood, launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice. The initiative aims to dismantle the networks that enable child sexual abuse and bring predators to justice.

Project Safe Childhood isn’t just about punishment. It’s a broad strategy, coordinating federal, state, and local resources to not only prosecute offenders but also to locate and rescue victims. Those seeking more information about Project Safe Childhood, or internet safety resources, can visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. This case serves as a grim reminder of the dark corners of the internet and the relentless work required to protect vulnerable children.

RELATED: Vallejo Man Gets 24 Years for Child Sex Exploitation

RELATED: Alabama Predator Gets 24+ Years for Exploiting Child