Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 16 Years in Federal Prison After Sending Child Sexual Abuse Material

INDIANAPOLIS- Christopher J. White, 46, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 16 years and three months in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after pleading guilty to distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material. White was also ordered to pay $27,0000.00 in restitution.

According to court documents, on March 19, 2024, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officers responded to White's home after a domestic disturbance was reported. White's relative contacted police after discovering sexually explicit images of minors on White's cell phone.

Witnesses told officers that White, a registered sex offender with a 2016 conviction for child exploitation and possession of child sexual abuse material, had posted images of a minor relative on social media without permission. The minor was under eight years old and was wearing a swimsuit. Witnesses also reported finding text messages containing sexually explicit images of other minors on his device. Another witness stated she received a notification in January 2024 that her Google account had been locked due to uploads of child sexual abuse material while White was using her phone.

A forensic analysis revealed that since November 2023, White had been distributing and receiving sexually explicit images of children, including infants and toddlers. When White distributed the images, he described his sexual abuse of children to the individuals- later determined to be fictitious- as if he were the individual who had participated in the sexual abuse. White also made these same fictitious comments about images of his minor relative.

Investigators recovered at least 13 files depicting violence or exploitation and more than 600 additional images, including approximately 1,038 files identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as known child sexual abuse material.

The U.S. Secret Service and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.

"Protecting children from exploitation is one of our most critical responsibilities," said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. "This sentence makes clear that those who victimize children, whether through hands-on abuse or the distribution of child sexual abuse material, will be held accountable. We are grateful for the diligent work of the U.S. Secret Service and IMPD in ensuring this offender was brought to justice."

"Individuals who exploit children through the use and distribution of child sexual abuse material must be held accountable for the profound harm they cause to victims and their families," said Special Agent in Charge Ike Barnes of the U.S. Secret Service Indianapolis Field Office. "The sentence in this case reflects the seriousness of the defendant's actions. The Secret Service remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect children from exploitation and bring offenders to justice. We thank the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana for their collaboration and commitment throughout this investigation."

U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle M. Sawa, who prosecuted this case.

This case was 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. Attorneys' Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.

If you are a victim of child sexual exploitation, please contact your local police department. Resources for victims of child exploitation can be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood

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