Northeast Georgian Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

Northeast Georgian Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Distributing ...  Department of Justice

Northeast Georgian Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

Madison County Resident Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

A resident of Madison County, Georgia, has been sentenced to serve 20 years in prison after being convicted of distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Christopher Snow, 36, of Carlton, Georgia, was found guilty on one count of distribution of CSAM and one count of possession of CSAM. The sentencing was carried out by U.S. District Judge Tilman E. Self, III. Snow will also have to register as a sex offender upon release from prison.

Collaboration for Child Protection

The case highlights the commitment to protecting children from the horrors of child sexual abuse. U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for these crimes that deeply harm children. The successful adjudication of this case was made possible through the collaboration of various groups and agencies dedicated to safeguarding children and bringing predators to justice.

GBI Director Chris Hosey reiterated the agency’s unwavering pursuit of justice and zero tolerance for those who exploit vulnerable populations, particularly children. Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, Keri Farley, emphasized the determination to ensure that individuals like Snow receive the full measure of justice.

Investigation and Evidence

According to court documents and evidence presented during the trial, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) received a Cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in August 2018. The tip indicated that a Facebook user had distributed suspected CSAM via Facebook Messenger. GBI traced the user to Carlton, Madison County, Georgia, and executed a search warrant at Snow’s residence. Electronic devices, including a phone found on Snow during the search, were seized. A digital forensic examination revealed at least 45 images and 17 videos of CSAM, featuring children under the age of 12.

As a condition of his pretrial release, Snow was required to wear an ankle monitor and abstain from using electronic devices. However, on June 1, 2023, GBI received another Cybertip suggesting that Snow may have continued to distribute CSAM on the Kik messenger app while awaiting trial. On the same day, Snow cut off his ankle monitor. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals on June 5.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood mobilizes federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Investigative Agencies and Prosecution

The case was investigated by the GBI, with assistance from the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex Kalim and Robert McCullers prosecuted the case for the Government, with assistance from Deputy Criminal Chief Will Keyes.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs Addressed:

  • SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. Specific Targets:

  • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
  • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

3. Indicators:

  • No specific indicators are mentioned in the article.

4. Table:

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children No specific indicators mentioned in the article
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all No specific indicators mentioned in the article

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Specifically, the article addresses the issue of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) distribution and possession, which is a form of violence against children. This aligns with Target 16.2 of SDG 16, which aims to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

Additionally, the article mentions the collaboration of different groups and agencies focused on protecting children and bringing predators to justice. This reflects the importance of promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all, as stated in Target 16.3 of SDG 16.

Unfortunately, the article does not provide specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards these targets. However, it is important to note that indicators related to child sexual abuse cases could include the number of cases reported, the number of convictions, and the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts in identifying and prosecuting offenders.

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Source: justice.gov

 

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