A Canadian man admitted in federal court to a sextortion scheme that targeted over 100 children in the United States. The FBI in Houston said the investigation began years ago with a special agent who has since died and was completed by the local child-exploitation task force.
#BREAKING Canadian man pleads guilty to sextorting more than 100 children across the U.S. The years-long investigation was initiated by our late Special Agent Kenya Merritt. Learn more about how FBI Houston's team brought this prolific child predator to justice. https://x.com/i/status/2017295207037874384
— FBI Houston (@FBiHouston) January 30, 2026
FBI Credits Late Agent And Local Task Force
In a post on X, the FBI’s Houston office said the guilty plea brings to a close a multi-year probe that was initiated by Special Agent Kenya Merritt, who has since died. According to FBI Houston's post on X, the bureau emphasized that its Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force played a central role in tracking down victims, pulling together digital evidence, and moving the case forward.
Extradition, Indictment And Case Details
Earlier reporting identified the defendant as Ramanan Pathmanathan, who Canadian authorities had already convicted and sentenced before he was extradited to the United States to face a federal indictment. That reporting says a grand jury returned an 11-count indictment in 2022 that includes multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a child and coercion and enticement, and Canadian court records allegedly show he posed online as a 17-year-old to target minors and kept detailed logs of victims' ages and contacts. As reported by Click2Houston, investigators believe the scope of victims stretched across multiple countries.
How Sextortion Works And Why Investigators Worry
The tactics described in reporting on the case, including fake profiles, impersonation, inducements or threats, and repeated coercion, line up with the typical pattern of online sextortion. The FBI warns that predators often pose as peers or friends to gain a child’s trust, then use threats to squeeze out more explicit images or money. Its public sextortion resources explain how to recognize the signs, report abuse, and connect with victim services. Analysis by Brookings and others has found that a single offender can victimize dozens or even hundreds of children, which is why awareness and quick reporting are seen as crucial for disrupting these schemes.
What’s Next For The Case And For Victims
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C. is prosecuting the federal case, according to earlier reporting on the extradition and transfer. Federal courts have imposed long prison terms in similar prosecutions. For instance, a defendant in Texas received a 24-year sentence after convictions tied to sextortion and child exploitation, as noted in a recent announcement from the Southern District of Texas, underscoring how seriously judges treat these offenses. Victims or anyone with information are encouraged to contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips through the FBI tips page.
