HOUSTON, TX – Daniel Lee Hicks, 28, of Vermont, will spend the next three decades of his life behind bars after being sentenced for exploiting a South Texas child. Hicks was handed a 300-month federal prison sentence by U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. following his guilty pleas related to the production of child sexual assault material (CSAM) and the coercion of a minor.
The case, brought forth by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei, revealed a disturbing pattern of online predation. Authorities discovered in November 2022 that Hicks had been engaging in sexually explicit conversations with a female victim residing in the Southern District of Texas, beginning as early as 2021. The victim was under the age of 14 when Hicks initiated contact. He didn’t stop at conversation; Hicks sent demeaning and threatening messages to coerce the girl into creating and sending explicit videos and images. He also bombarded her with existing CSAM.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Investigators uncovered evidence of at least two additional minor victims across the United States, both under 16, targeted by Hicks. He systematically used online social media platforms to identify and exploit vulnerable children, creating a digital hunting ground for his depraved desires. The sentencing reflects the gravity of his crimes and the widespread nature of his exploitation.
“The internet is a valuable tool, but unfortunately, for predators like Hicks, it can become a weapon used to target some of our most vulnerable,” Ganjei stated. “To anyone who tries to use social media or other avenues to prey on our kids, it matters not where you are. We will hunt you down, arrest you, and imprison you…often for decades.” Hicks will also face 10 years of supervised release after his prison term, with strict restrictions on access to children and the internet, and will be required to register as a sex offender.
Chad Plantz, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Houston, emphasized the pervasive threat posed by online predators. “As a parent, cases like this hit close to home knowing that dangerous predators like this are just a mouse click or phone swipe away from our children on social media,” Plantz said. HSI, working with the Montgomery County Constable’s Office – Precinct 5, successfully removed Hicks from the community, but urged parents to remain vigilant and educate their children about online dangers. Resources are available at https://www.dhs.gov/know2protect.
The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations’ Child Exploitation Investigations Group, with assistance from the Montgomery County Constable’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luis Batarse prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a national initiative to combat child sexual exploitation. The DOJ’s PSC page can be found at DOJ’s PSC page and internet safety resources at the resources tab on that page. The court will determine and order restitution at a later date, but no amount of money can undo the harm inflicted upon these victims.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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