A federal judge sentenced Tony Michael Crisco, 35, to 50 years in federal prison for production and distribution of child pornography, according to a July 22 announcement from the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Crisco pleaded guilty to the charges on January 29.
The case began after Crisco’s mother contacted law enforcement in Citrus County, Florida, when she was alerted by an individual about an online video showing him raping a two-year-old child. Authorities in Florida then notified officials in Wilmington, where Crisco lived. Law enforcement agencies including the FBI, Wilmington Police Department, and New Hanover County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at his residence and seized digital devices containing numerous images and videos depicting sexual abuse of a toddler.
Reid Davis, FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina, said, “This lengthy federal prison sentence makes one thing clear: anyone who exploits children will be found, prosecuted, and removed from society for a very long time. The FBI will relentlessly pursue predators and ensure they face the maximum consequences for harming a child.”
Investigators also discovered that Crisco communicated with a fourteen-year-old girl online after meeting her through friends. He groomed her into sending sexually explicit photos and videos before meeting her in person and engaging in sexual intercourse. He later distributed these images and videos online. The investigation uncovered over one thousand images and three hundred forty-eight videos of child pornography.
A statement from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office said, “Today’s guilty plea is the result of a thorough investigation and the unwavering commitment of the men and women dedicated to protecting children in our community… The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office remains unwavering in its commitment to aggressively investigating crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children… Protecting children will continue to be one of our highest priorities.” Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement following sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina prosecutes federal crimes—including those related to child exploitation—and litigates civil matters across several cities such as Raleigh, Fayetteville, Wilmington, New Bern, Greenville and Elizabeth City; it is part of the U.S. Department of Justice with jurisdiction over areas including major military installations like Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune; it employs 119 staff members; promotes community safety through initiatives such as Project Safe Neighborhoods; all according to the official website.