Louisiana man sentenced to more than 21 years for production of child pornography
LAKE CHARLES, La. — Following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans, an Iowa, Louisiana man was sentenced to more than 21 years of imprisonment for child exploitation Jan. 13. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana prosecuted his case.
United States District Judge James D. Cain Jr. sentenced Garrett Michael Faulk, 25, to 21 years and 10 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Cain also sentenced Faulk to pay restitution in the amount of $3,000.
According to evidence, investigators with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the city of Iowa regarding a child exploitation complaint. During the investigation, law enforcement agents found an explicit video and pictures on Faulk’s cell phone depicting the exploitation of prepubescent children. Faulk admitted he had used his cell phone to capture the video and pictures. A federal grand jury charged him with production of child pornography and he pleaded guilty to one count Aug. 23.
“All child exploitation crimes are abhorrent, but there is a special place in hell for those who engage in the particularly heinous crime of producing child sexual abuse material,” said HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Dave Denton. “HSI special agents and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue child predators, in every form, and ensure those who commit these atrocious crimes are brought to justice.”
HSI Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker prosecuted.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free tip line at 866-347-2423 or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock. From outside the United States and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users may call TTY 802-872-6196. Learn more about HSI’s mission to combat child exploitation in your community on Twitter @HSINewOrleans.
HSI takes a victim-centered approach to child exploitation investigations by working to identify, rescue and stabilize victims. HSI works in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Internet Crimes Against Children partners, and other federal, state, and local agencies to help solve cases and rescue sexually exploited children. You can report suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children to NCMEC’s toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 800-843-5678.
HSI is a founding member 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.
One of HSI’s top priorities is to protect the public from crimes of victimization, and HSI’s child exploitation investigations program is a central component of this mission set. Further, HSI is recognized as a global leader in this investigative discipline. The directorate is committed to utilizing its vast authorities, international footprint and strong government and nongovernment partnerships to identify and rescue child victims; identify and apprehend offenders; prevent transnational child sexual abuse; and help make the internet a safer place for children.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
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