INDIANAPOLIS — A choose sentenced Robert Ficzner, 27, of Fishers, Indiana to 13 years in federal jail for distributing baby sexual abuse materials following a joint investigation between Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) and different companies.
In response to court docket paperwork, the Nationwide Heart for Lacking and Exploited Youngsters acquired data from Omegle, a one-on-one random video chat utility, that Robert Ficzner had displayed a picture of a unadorned, prepubescent 5-year-old to different Omegle customers.
In March 2022, investigators approached Ficzner, who admitted that he confirmed the sexually express pictures of the kid to elicit a response from different Omegle customers. Moreover, Ficzner admitted to receiving and sharing baby sexual abuse materials by way of the Kik and Telegram prompt messaging purposes.
“This sentencing exhibits simply how damaging Ficzner’s crimes in opposition to youngsters are and emphasizes HSI’s dedication to carry perpetrators accountable,” mentioned HSI Chicago Particular Agent in Cost Sean Fitzgerald. “We, alongside our regulation enforcement companions, are dedicated to maintaining essentially the most susceptible of our communities secure. Little one predators like Ficzner mustn’t escape justice and we are going to search critical penalties for his or her heinous actions.”
When investigators searched Ficzner’s cellphone, they discovered a number of recordsdata containing baby sexual abuse materials, in addition to conversations between Ficzner and different contributors discussing their wishes and plans to kidnap and sexually abuse youngsters. Ficzner’s assortment of kid sexual abuse materials contained greater than 600 pictures and included depictions of the sexual abuse and torture of infants and toddlers, in addition to sadistic and masochistic conduct.
Homeland Safety Investigations, the Hamilton County Metropolitan Little one Exploitation Activity Drive, and the Division of Justice’s Little one Exploitation and Obscenity Part investigated this case. U.S. District Court docket Choose Jane E. Magnus-Stinson imposed the sentence. She additionally ordered that Ficzner be supervised by the U.S. Probation Workplace for 15 years following his launch from federal jail and pay $8,000 in restitution to his victims. Ficzner should additionally register as a intercourse offender wherever he lives, works or goes to high school, as required by regulation.
“Civilized society won’t tolerate the trafficking of pictures of the sexual torture of infants and toddlers,” mentioned Zachary A. Myers, United States Lawyer for the Southern District of Indiana. “Even worse, this defendant mentioned his wishes and plans to kidnap and sexually abuse youngsters with likeminded offenders on-line. The intense sentence imposed right here demonstrates that federal, state and native regulation enforcement will root out these criminals who pose a hazard to our kids, prosecute them, and get them off our streets.”
U.S. Lawyer Myers thanked Assistant United States Lawyer Kristina M. Korobov and Trial Lawyer Adam Braskich of the Division of Justice’s Little one Exploitation and Obscenity Part, who prosecuted this case.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety (DHS), liable for investigating transnational crime and threats, particularly these prison organizations that exploit the worldwide infrastructure via which worldwide commerce, journey, and finance transfer. HSI’s workforce of greater than 8,700 workers consists of greater than 6,000 particular brokers assigned to 237 cities all through the US, and 93 abroad places in 56 nations. HSI’s worldwide presence represents DHS’s largest investigative regulation enforcement presence overseas and one of many largest worldwide footprints in U.S. regulation enforcement.
Study extra about HSI’s mission to fight baby exploitation in our neighborhood on Twitter @HSIChicago.
