Virginia Beach man sentenced to 16 years for receiving child pornography
Defendant had previous conviction for indecent liberties with a child
NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced Thursday to 192 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for receipt of child pornography. This case was investigated by U.S> Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations.
According to court documents, Bruce Lee Scott, 30, received numerous images of child pornography through an internet-based file sharing program. After conducting a search warrant on his residence, investigators found that Scott possessed more than 1,000 pictures and 46 videos of child pornography on his laptop. Investigators also found evidence suggesting that Scott was having a sexual relationship with a minor. According to statements made in court, that evidence has been provided to the Virginia Beach Police Department and a state prosecution is underway. Court records show that Scott was convicted in 2006 for indecent liberties with a child, and as a result of that conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender.
Scott pleaded guilty Oct. 20.
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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