2 Michigan men sentenced to 50 years in prison for child sexual exploitation

(CBS DETROIT) – Two St. Clair County men have been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of children, officials announced.

Austin Ray Sabb-Visga, 30, and Todd Allen Sabb-Visga, 48, both of Kimball Township, were sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty in May.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern Michigan District, the two men abused the children in their care and filmed the abuse.

Austin Sabb-Visga sent the videos of this abuse to Todd Sabb-Visga and other people.

In June 2023, someone was sent a photo of child pornography and reported it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The Michigan State Police and the United States Secret Service were then notified of the crime.

Authorities executed a search warrant at Sabb Visga’s home and seized multiple cell phones. After reviewing the phones’ contents, authorities discovered “progressive abuse” of one child over at least a year and the sexual exploitation of at least two other children.

In addition to their federal convictions, the two men also pleaded guilty in St. Clair County to two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and were both sentenced to 50 years in prison for the state crimes, the news release said.

“These sentences should send a strong message to these defendants and others like them who exploit our children behind closed doors and online,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison. “For those who refuse to heed that message, we will be looking for you everywhere.”