Jay Clayton, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, along with Christopher G. Raia from the FBI's New York Field Office, disclosed the arrest of Lonnie Youmans. Youmans is facing charges of sexual exploitation of a child, receipt and distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. Detained in Newburgh, New York, Youmans was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy at the federal court in White Plains.
Jay Clayton stated, “As alleged, Lonnie Youmans used Discord as a hunting ground to find, manipulate, and sextort our most vulnerable in a horrific scheme to obtain child pornography. Every New Yorker and every American loathes the exploitation of children. Together with our partners, we will deploy every resource to relentlessly pursue and bring to justice those who prey on our children.”
According to Christopher G. Raia, “Lonnie Youmans allegedly devised a twisted scheme to obtain sexually explicit images of young children and extorted a minor to produce pornographic content with threats of blackmail. This alleged cyclical abuse groomed victims into submission, perpetuating increased victimization without reprieve. May this arrest highlight the FBI’s stout commitment to apprehending any individual who repeatedly sexually exploits children for depraved gratification.”
The complaint alleges that since January 2024, Youmans used Discord to target victims as young as 12. He allegedly used the online identities “Zenheatsu” and “Leyley,” grooming minors to send sexually explicit images and threatening exposure to coerce further action from his victims. Among those targeted was “Victim-1,” a 15-year-old, from whom Youmans reportedly obtained and distributed explicit images. Youmans admitted to the illegality of his actions when confronted by another Discord user.
On April 29, 2025, federal agents searched Youmans’ residence, finding hundreds of illegal files on his phone. These included images of abuse involving toddlers and prepubescent children.
If anyone has information related to Youmans, authorities encourage contact via 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
Youmans, 22, faces several charges with significant sentencing implications, including a 15-year minimum for sexual exploitation. Sentencing will be determined by a judge, not predetermined by the charges.
Clayton acknowledged the efforts of the FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, and local police departments in Wallkill and Newburgh. The case is being overseen by the White Plains Division, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Reyhan Watson leading the prosecution.
The charges against Youmans are accusations, and he remains presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
