San Francisco Man Sentenced To Eight Years In Prison For Possession Of Child Pornography

SAN FRANCISCO - Vincent Lee was sentenced yesterday to 96 months in prison, and ordered to pay $2,400 in restitution for possession of child pornography, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.

Mr. Lee pleaded guilty on September 6, 2012, to one count of possessing child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B). According to the plea agreement, Mr. Lee admitted that he possessed over 200 videos of child pornography, including videos of prepubescent children being sexually abused in ways that would cause them pain. Mr. Lee also admitted that upon learning a search warrant would be executed at his residence, he obstructed the investigation by deleting software and images on his computer before the police arrived.

Mr. Lee, age 54, of San Francisco, California, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 3, 2012. He was charged with distributing and possessing child pornography. He has been in continuous custody since his initial bond was revoked after he cut off his electronic bracelet and left the District in violation of his bond conditions.

The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey S. White following a guilty plea to one count in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B) (possession of child pornography). Judge White also sentenced the defendant to a five-year period of supervised release.

Stacey Geis is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Rania Ghawi. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security in coordination with the San Jose Police Department.