44-year-old Rancho Cordova resident Daragh Finbar Hayes pleaded guilty to producing and distributing child sexual abuse material after an FBI investigation found he used a child to create explicit images from June to September 2024. Investigators said the files were stored in a “hidden” folder on his device, and at least one other person received the images, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Hayes remains in federal custody while awaiting sentencing by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins. He faces 15 to 30 years in prison for production charges and 5 to 20 years for distribution, with possible fines of up to $250,000 on each of the 4 counts, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The U.S. Department of Justice said Hayes’s sentence will be determined using federal laws and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which consider several factors before a final decision is made. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shea J. Kenny and is part of Project Safe Childhood, a DOJ program started in May 2006 that works with federal, state, and local agencies to address child sexual exploitation and abuse and assist victims. Information about the program and internet safety resources is available on the Project Safe Childhood website, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
