Virginia Man Sentenced to 36 Years for Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material after HSI Norfolk Investigation

NORFOLK, Va. - Jonathan Wilson, a 35-year-old resident of Chesapeake, Virginia, has been sentenced to 36 years in federal prison for the production of child sexual abuse material. The sentencing came as a result of an extensive investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk and the Chesapeake Police Department (CPD), culminating in a successful prosecution at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Norfolk on June 1.

The severity of the sentence reflects the disturbing nature of Wilson's actions, as stated by HSI Washington, D.C. Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon. The collaboration between HSI and CPD demonstrates their commitment to pursuing child sexual predators and ensuring that they face justice for their heinous crimes.

The investigation by HSI Norfolk began in early 2022 when Belgian authorities reported that Wilson had been distributing child sexual abuse material to a Belgian citizen. HSI Norfolk identified Wilson after a social media platform alerted authorities to his uploads of such material. Acting swiftly, HSI Norfolk and CPD executed a search warrant at Wilson's residence, where they made a horrifying discovery.

Law enforcement officials found evidence that Wilson had been filming the sexual abuse of a toddler for a period of two years, starting when the child was just two years old. Upon uncovering this evidence, Wilson was immediately taken into custody.

This investigation was conducted with significant assistance from the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, highlighting the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies to combat child exploitation.

HSI encourages anyone with information related to child sexual abuse or the distribution of child sexual abuse material to contact the HSI Tip Line at 866-DHS-2423 (866-347-2423), which operates 24/7.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Through Project Safe Childhood, federal, state, and local resources are combined to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children online, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

HSI, as the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats. With a workforce of over 8,700 employees, including more than 6,000 special agents assigned to various cities in the United States and overseas locations in 56 countries, HSI plays a critical role in combating criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure.

The successful prosecution and sentencing of Jonathan Wilson serve as a testament to the dedication and commitment of law enforcement agencies in protecting children from exploitation and bringing offenders to justice.