A former law enforcement officer pleaded guilty on July 27 to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child in the Eastern District of Texas, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Skyler Douglas Laza, 34, admitted before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love that he persuaded a minor under the age of 12 to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of creating visual depictions using a cell phone on at least two occasions.
The plea agreement includes an agreed sentencing range between 40 and 60 years in federal prison, as well as lifetime supervision and mandatory sex offender registration. The actual sentence will be determined by the court after consideration of advisory guidelines and statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled following completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies. Project Safe Childhood seeks to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children online while also identifying and rescuing victims.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, Dallas Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Palestine Police Department; prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas covers 43 counties in East Texas with offices in Beaumont, Lufkin, Plano, Sherman, Texarkana and Tyler; employs about 100 staff members including approximately 50 assistant U.S. attorneys; prosecutes federal crimes; delivers civil litigation services; supports victims through dedicated services; and operates as part of the United States Department of Justice, according to the official website.