A Sacramento man is facing federal charges after a grand jury indicted him for producing, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse material. Jordan Hughes, 24, has been brought to justice as part of a coordinated effort by local and federal authorities to combat the exploitation of minors.
Between February and September 2022, according to court documents, Hughes manipulated at least two underage victims into sending him sexually explicit images and videos. He is also accused of distributing child sexual abuse content, and in November of the same year was found in possession of such material depicting at least four underage individuals. This information comes from an indictment returned by a federal grand jury and announced by U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert, as reported by the Department of Justice.
The Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force's Internet Crimes Against Children Unit spearheaded the investigation leading to these charges. This case stands as part of Project Safe Childhood, a national campaign by the Department of Justice launched in 2006, aiming to dismantle networks of child exploitation and provide aid to victims.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shea J. Kenny is prosecuting the case, which could see Hughes facing up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count if convicted. The defendant, however, is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The sentencing will take into account various statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines which could influence the court's decision, Talbert noted in the statement released by his office. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found on the Department of Justice's website.
