Northern California man pleads guilty to producing child porn

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A northern California man pleaded guilty Thursday to producing child pornography, following an extensive probe by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Yuba City Police Department.

Nathan Penner, 25, of Yuba City, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley of the Eastern District of California to one count of production of child pornography. The sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 21, 2016.

In connection with his plea, Penner admitted that he produced sexually explicit photos and videos of a 5-year-old girl in September and October 2012.  Penner further acknowledged that he had downloaded child pornography. Subsequent forensic analysis of Penner’s computer and digital media revealed both the child pornography that he produced and hundreds of other child pornography files.

This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Reginald E. Jones of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh F. Sigal of the Eastern District of California. 

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. 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.