A Brentwood man has been sentenced to over eight years in federal prison on charges of receipt of child pornography and possession of an unregistered firearm. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, 44-year-old Michael Lee Patterson will serve 103 months for crimes including the intent to engage in sexual acts with a minor and harboring a cache of illicit materials.
After pleading guilty on May 21, Patterson faced the music for both counts for which a federal grand jury indicted him on April 18, 2024. The plea agreement revealed Patterson's attempt to meet what he believed to be a 13-year-old girl for sexual engagement. However, his actions led to an arrest and the discovery of more than 600 videos and 1,000 images of child sexual abuse material, as well as the possession of a short-barreled rifle, which he failed to register lawfully.
The consequences meted out by U.S. District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. extend beyond the prison term. Following his incarceration, Patterson will be subject to 10 years of supervised release and must pay restitution. He was remanded into custody immediately to commence his sentence. The sentencing details emerged through the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Secret Service and the ATF, local police departments, and the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian provided additional information on the case. In his announcement, partnered with statements from U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Shawn Bradstreet and ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Topper, Missakian detailed the law enforcement's joint effort to bring Patterson to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonah P. Ross prosecuted the case with Claudia Hyslop's assistance.
