A Sylvania man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a child.
Holden Gallagher, 29, was sentenced March 16, by U.S. District Judge James Carr, who also ordered a lifetime supervised release following prison.
Mr. Gallagher pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, receipt and distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
“The Justice Department and law enforcement in the region will work tirelessly to deter and prosecute those who prey upon our children,” said acting U.S. Attorney Michelle Baeppler.
“Mr. Gallagher, a repeat offender, has earned this lengthy prison sentence and will no longer be able to abuse others.”
“Criminal misconduct with the intent to exploit children is reprehensible,” said FBI special agent in charge Eric Smith. “The investigative work of the FBI underscores our duty to protect children from heinous individuals. Our partnerships with federal and state investigators in concert with local agencies continue to make an impact in our communities to thwart predatory behavior.”
According to court documents, on July 31, 2015, law enforcement investigators executed a federal search warrant at a Sylvania residence suspected of sharing digital files of child pornography. During the execution of the warrant, investigators obtained several electronic devices, including a laptop and hard drive.
A search of the electronic devices revealed numerous files of child pornography. Additionally, investigators determined some of the images contained a depiction of a minor whom Mr. Gallagher knew.
According to court records, Mr. Gallagher had corresponded with the victim to produce images of child pornography.
At the time of the offense, Mr. Gallagher was a registered sex offender following a 2011 conviction for gross sexual imposition of a minor for which he was still on probation.
The case was investigated by the FBI, state and federal investigators on the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, including a lead investigator from Defiance County sheriff’s office.
Mr. Gallagher was prosecuted by assistant U.S. attorneys Tracey Ballard Tangeman and Angelita Cruz Bridges.
