West Virginia man sentenced to 15 years for production of child pornography
WHEELING, West Virginia – A West Virginia man was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in federal prison for producing child pornography following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Robert J. Gongloff, 26, of Terra Alta, West Virginia, pleaded guilty in August 2015 to one count of production of child pornography. By pleading guilty, Gongloff admitted that he had produced numerous images and videos depicting nude minors and minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Authorities further discovered that Gongloff misrepresented his name and age on a website known as MeetMe.com, claiming to be 17 years old and using the name “Johnny Williamson,” in order to transmit sexually explicit photographs to multiple minor females.
"This conviction and sentence should serve as a stern warning about the consequences awaiting individuals who prey on the most vulnerable members of our communities - our children," said John Kelleghan, special agent in charge of HSI Philadelphia. "Protecting our children from predators remains an HSI priority, and we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, arrest and bring these predators to justice."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Vogrin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. HSI led the investigation with assistance from the West Virginia State Police.
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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