Man Sentenced to 24 Years for Producing Images of Child Sexual Abuse

NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced today to over 24 years in prison for producing child pornography of a 2-year-old boy.

“Protecting the most vulnerable from heinous crimes and vile perpetrators, like Webster, will continue to be a top priority,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The actions that Webster engaged in are one of the most offensive and serious crimes in the entire criminal code. We will continue to shine a light on the darkest areas of the web and protect those that are unable to protect themselves.”

According to court documents, Dashawn Webster, 23, was identified through a complex investigation involving Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), along with international law enforcement partners. Webster was a member of numerous websites dedicated to child exploitation. In order to gain access to some of these websites, Webster had to produce child pornography and share it with other members. In 2016, Webster produced child pornography with a 2-year-old and shared it with others. In addition to the produced images, Webster possessed over 110,000 other images and videos of minors engaging in sexual activity on numerous pieces of electronic media. 

“It is devastating that individuals like Dashawn Webster perpetrate this kind of evil in our world today to victimize our children, even infants,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk Michael Lamonea. “The American public can be assured that HSI will continue to aggressively investigate and uncover these criminals and bring them before our justice system to face the consequences of their terrible actions.”

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. 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 www.justice.gov/psc.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth M. Yusi prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:18-cr-101.