Justin D. Whatcott Acting United States Attorney for the District of Idaho | Department of Justice
Michael Allen Montoya, a 40-year-old resident of Burley, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott.
The investigation began when the FBI identified Montoya as a distributor of child sexual abuse material through an online social media platform. During the investigation, it was discovered that Montoya had engaged in online conversations discussing his interest in children and exchanging such material with others. The Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) received the case from the FBI and obtained a search warrant for Montoya's residence. A forensic examination revealed numerous files of child sexual abuse material, including explicit images and videos produced by Montoya involving an infant and an 8-year-old child under his care.
Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott emphasized the zero-tolerance policy for those targeting children for abuse and exploitation, stating, "As this case illustrates, images of child sexual abuse material are not just images – they are evidence of sexual abuse committed by predators like this defendant."
Idaho Attorney General Labrador expressed gratitude for the efforts of the ICAC Task Force and their partnership with Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott’s office, stating their commitment to making Idaho safer.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced Montoya to lifetime supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution to his victims. Montoya is also required to register as a sex offender due to his conviction.
Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott praised the cooperative efforts of various law enforcement agencies that led to the charge against Montoya. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kassandra McGrady and Erin Blackadar.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse.
