Daniel Price, a 37-year-old resident of Galax, Virginia, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison today for his involvement in the distribution of sexual abuse material featuring a minor. Price pleaded guilty to two counts of knowingly distributing and attempting to distribute visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct on August 29, 2023.
The charges stemmed from an incident that came to light on November 9, 2021, when Price was initially charged. According to court documents, a mother contacted the Waco Police Department in February 2021 after discovering sexually explicit images and messages on her 11-year-old's phone, involving communication with Price.
An investigation revealed that Price coerced the child into sending sexually explicit photos and videos. Additionally, Price sent explicit images of his genitalia to the young victim. Despite being over a thousand miles away from the minor, Price's actions demonstrated the alarming reach that individuals with harmful intent can have on children.
U.S. District Judge Alan Albright, presiding over the case, handed down a 20-year prison sentence to Price and ordered him to pay $3,000 in restitution to the victim. Furthermore, Judge Albright mandated a lifetime of supervised release for Price after serving his prison term.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza emphasized the significance of community vigilance in protecting children from predators like Price. Esparza commended the victim's mother for promptly reporting the crimes to the Waco Police Department, highlighting the importance of collective efforts to safeguard children from harm.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the Waco Police Department.
