United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging BARTON GEORGE SCOTT, 35, with child pornography and computer hacking offenses. SCOTT made his initial appearance on Sept. 25, 2018, before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
As alleged in the indictment, between April 30 and August 8, 2017, SCOTT gained unauthorized access to the Snapchat accounts of 25 victims. In several cases, SCOTT used extortionate tactics in an attempt to obtain sexually explicit images and videos from the victims, many of whom were minors.
Based on the evidence obtained in this case, authorities believe there may be additional victims of this alleged conduct. Anyone with information about this matter is encouraged to call the FBI at (763) 569-8000. Callers may remain anonymous.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and 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.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, the Stillwater Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office, New Richmond Police Department, and the Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katharine T. Buzicky is prosecuting the case.
Defendant Information:
BARTON GEORGE SCOTT, 35
City of residence unknown
Charges:
* Production of child pornography, 1 count
* Penalties for registered sex offenders, 1 count
* Attempted production of child pornography, 6 counts
* Fraud and related activity in connection with computers 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(7)(B), 6 counts
* Fraud and related activity in connection with computers 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(2)(C), 12 counts
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
