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Date: 11-07-2021
Case Style:
Case Number: 2:20-cr-00125-RSM
Judge: Ricardo S. Martinez
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Washington (King County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Seattle, Washington criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with distribution of child pornography.
In September 2018, Gary Stensland, age 33, traveled to Portland to meet a 13-year-old whom he had contacted via an internet app. Stensland returned to Seattle with the minor and paid the minor for sex. Stensland then drove the youth back to Portland. The youth disclosed the abuse in summer 2020.
On August 5, 2020, the FBI, as part of the Seattle Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, executed a search warrant at Stensland’s residence and seized his electronic devices. The investigation revealed Stensland sexually assaulted other minors as well as trafficked in images and videos of child sexual abuse.
Chief Judge Martinez agreed to recommend a federal prison in Texas which has a highly regarded program for treating sex offenders. “I think he is serious about wanting to make changes,” Chief Judge Martinez said. Addressing Stensland the Chief Judge said, “I hope you utilize the time (in prison) to work on these issues.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The case is being investigated by the FBI in conjunction with the Internet Crimes against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Hampton.
Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Prostitution or Criminal Sexual Activity 18:2423(a)
(1)
Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct - 18:2423(b), (f)
(1s)
Distribution of Child Pornography - 18:2252(a)(2), (b)(1)
(2s)
Possession of Child Pornography - 18:2252(a)(4)(B), (b)(2)
(3s)
Outcome: Defendant was sentenced to 96 months in custody, 15 years supervised release (w/standard and special conditions), restitution=$24,000.00, fine waived, $100 special assessment per count=$300 total
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: