Child predator sentenced to over 28 years for producing child pornography
MONROE, La. — A Louisiana man was sentenced to over 28 years in federal prison Monday for producing child pornography following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Louisiana State Police (LSP).
Michael S. Golden, 53, of Downsville, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James on one count of production of child pornography. He was also sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release and ordered to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
After a member of the public tipped off DHS with concerns about Golden, HSI special agents and LSP investigators contacted him in May 2014 about his participation on an Internet website known to be used by predators to trade images and videos documenting child sexual abuse. Following a review of his electronic accounts, law enforcement initially discovered Golden was trading both suggestive and sexually explicit images of young boys. Upon further investigation, however, they established that Golden had molested multiple victims and had documented that abuse in order to trade it with other child predators.
“The sadistic and selfish actions taken by this defendant are both heartbreaking and utterly reprehensible,” said acting HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Cindy M. Johnson. “Hopefully the victims in this case can find some relief in knowing the monster who hurt them will be locked away for nearly 30 years. There is no doubt that our children are living in a safer world with this predator behind bars.”
“The nearly 30-year sentence given to Michael Golden today should send a strong message to others who sexually abuse children that they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley. “Mr. Golden is a vile predator and the sentence imposed should protect others from his horrific conduct. The harm inflicted on minors through these acts cannot be measured. I want to thank the law enforcement agents and prosecutor for their work in brining Mr. Golden to justice.”
This investigation is being conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2013, more than 2,000 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
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