Southeast Texas man sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for producing child pornography

VICTORIA, Texas — A Southeast Texas man was sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in federal prison following his conviction for producing child pornography.

This sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas. This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Victoria County Sherriff’s Office.

James Peyton Busbee Jr., 30, was sentenced Feb. 2 to 360 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey.  At the hearing, an HSI special agent testified that Busbee used a pipe laced with methamphetamine during the assault of a child. In handing down the sentence, Judge Rainey called the crime “heinous.” Busbee’s prison term will be immediately followed by 10 years of supervised release during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict access to children and the Internet. He must also register as a sex offender and pay $1200 in restitution.

On Feb. 3, 2015, authorities responded to Busbee’s residence in reference to the possible sexual assault of a child. A minor male relative was identified and confirmed the abuse. Busbee also admitted to sexually assaulting the child.

A forensic examination of Busbee’s phone led to the discovery of an electronic video depicting Busbee involved in sexually explicit conduct with the child.  Busbee was arrested on the federal charges in April 2015 and has been in custody since that time.

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.