DAYTON, Ohio - United States Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II and Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck, Jr. announced today that Christopher Houck, 20, of Dayton, has been charged federally with child pornography crimes involving a child under the age of 5.

Allegations in the charging documents state that Houck created sexually explicit videos involving the victim.

Initial forensic review of Houck's cell phones revealed that Houck also allegedly traded child pornography with other individuals online on platforms like Snapchat. He possessed numerous images and videos of child pornography of other victims.

Earlier this month, Houck allegedly messaged online with another adult male, discussing their sexual fantasies involving children and the possibility of meeting up to find children with whom to engage in sexually explicit conduct together.

This case originated with reports to the Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center. Houck was originally arrested on local charges of gross sexual imposition, voyeurism, pandering obscenity and child endangering, and he has been incarcerated in the Montgomery County Jail since Feb. 15.

Houck is now charged federally with producing child pornography (punishable by 15 to 30 years in prison), distributing child pornography (five to 20 years in prison) and possessing child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor (up to 20 years).

"We will work together across all levels of government to hold accountable offenders who perpetrate crimes against children," said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. "My office is grateful for the collaboration between the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and the FBI that led to these charges."

"The allegations in this case are deeply troubling and involve the exploitation of a vulnerable child," said Sheriff Rob Streck. "Protecting children is our top priority, and we will continue to work closely with federal and local partners to investigate these crimes, hold offenders accountable, and ensure victims receive the support they need."

This case is being prosecuted in collaboration with the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and FBI are investigating. Assistant United States Attorney Christina Mahy is representing the United States in this case.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney's Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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