Oklahoma Man Sentenced to Over 21 Years in Prison for Advertising and Distributing Images of Child Sexual Abuse

FRESNO, Calif. – Austen Peppers Sentenced to 21 Years and 10 Months in Prison for Child Sexual Abuse Material

Introduction

Austen Peppers, a 36-year-old resident of Lawton, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for advertising and distributing child sexual abuse material. This announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.

Details of the Case

Peppers was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $57,000 to 19 victims.

According to court documents, Peppers engaged in the sale and distribution of images depicting minors being sexually abused between March 2018 and August 2019. He conducted these transactions on the dark web using cryptocurrency, utilizing platforms and applications that he believed would protect him from law enforcement scrutiny. Additionally, Peppers communicated with individuals he believed to be minors in sexually explicit conversations, encouraging them to create explicit images of themselves. He amassed a large collection of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.

Investigation and Prosecution

This case was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations offices in Fresno, Chicago, and Oklahoma, as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with assistance from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Tactical Team. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa prosecuted the case alongside Trial Attorney James Burke IV of the Department of Justice Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. The initiative aims to combat the increasing prevalence of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood utilizes federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood and internet-safety education resources, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.

Conclusion

Austen Peppers has been in custody since his initial appearance in this case on November 14, 2019. This sentencing serves as a significant step towards addressing the issue of child sexual exploitation and abuse, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations to ensure the well-being and protection of children worldwide.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
   • Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres
   • Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status
   • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, disaggregated by sex, age, employment status, and geographic location

Explanation:

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions is addressed in the article as the case involves the prosecution of an individual for advertising and distributing child sexual abuse material. This aligns with Target 16.2, which aims to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children. The article mentions that the individual engaged in sexually explicit communications with persons he believed to be minors and encouraged them to create explicit images of themselves, indicating the presence of sexual violence against children. This connects to Indicator 16.2.3, which measures the proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality is connected to the article as it highlights the issue of violence against women and girls. Target 5.2 seeks to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in both public and private spheres. Although the article does not explicitly mention violence against women, it is implied that the victims of child sexual abuse material are likely to include girls. Therefore, Target 5.2 is relevant to this issue. The corresponding indicator, Indicator 5.2.1, measures the proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months.

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities can be linked to the article as it emphasizes the importance of social inclusion and equality for all individuals. Target 10.2 aims to empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, regardless of their age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic status. Although the article does not directly mention inequalities, addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse contributes to creating a more inclusive society. Indicator 10.2.1 measures the proportion of people living below 50 percent of the median income, disaggregated by various factors including sex and age.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: justice.gov

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