East Texas man sentenced to 35 years in prison for producing child pornography
BEAUMONT – An East Texas man was sentenced Thursday to 35 years in prison for child exploitation violations. The sentence was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston, Eastern District of Texas.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office.
Steven Wayne Robinson, 40, of Daisetta, Texas, was sentenced Jan. 19 to 420 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone for two counts of producing child pornography. He pleaded guilty Sept. 1, 2016. Robinson was indicted by a federal grand jury Nov. 4, 2015.
According to court information, Robinson persuaded, induced, and coerced three children to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing videos or visual depictions of that conduct.
HSI conducted an online undercover operation targeting Robinson and other child predators. Robinson sent ten videos to the undercover operation that depicted himself engaging in sexual acts with children known to him.
One victim was less than one year old, a second victim was six years old, and a third victim was eight years old. Robinson forced each of them to engage in sexual acts with him. Further investigation by HSI revealed that Robinson at one point offered to give another suspected child predator access to one of the children in exchange for money to be paid to Robinson. Authorities took Robinson into custody before Robinson could act on those intentions.
“For the victims of child abuse, we pray for their healing,” said Featherston. “These cases are heart wrenching for all involved, the child advocates, the families, the investigators, the prosecutors and the courts; I applaud their resilience and fortitude in bringing Steven Robinson to justice. For Robinson, he deserves all the punishment ordered, and for those out there that choose to do these despicable acts, law enforcement will be knocking at your door and justice will be swift.”
“HSI will relentlessly pursue anyone who physically abuses or sexually exploit our kids," said Mark Dawson, special agent-in-charge of HSI Houston. "While we cannot give back the innocence that's been stolen from these children, we can make sure that those who commit these horrible crimes are brought to justice.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods, Eastern District of Texas, prosecuted the case.
This investigation was 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 14,000 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 2015, nearly 2,400 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.
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. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.
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.
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