Ryan Davidek, a 40-year-old resident of Lincoln, California, has been sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison for transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley delivered the sentence, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith. Davidek is also required to pay $13,270 in restitution to the victim and will be subject to lifetime supervised release.

Court documents reveal that Davidek began a sexual relationship with a middle-school child he met online in 2016. Over several years, he arranged hotel stays and transported the victim from another state into California's Eastern District for illegal sexual conduct.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation, supported by the Sacramento Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force and local law enforcement agencies. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexis Klein and Christina McCall.

This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse. This program involves collaboration among federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders exploiting children via the internet and rescue victims involved. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at Justice.gov/PSC.