Eastern District of Virginia | Virginia Beach Man Convicted of Distributing Gruesome Child Sexual Abuse Images

NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced today to seven years in prison for distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

According to court documents, on Oct. 12, 2023, Dustin Roy Harrell, 39, distributed CSAM to a group on an end-to-end encrypted messaging app that keeps communications private. Harrell shared a link to a Mega.nz account within the private channel that allowed users to download a video showing the sexual abuse of a newborn baby.

Police seized multiple electronic devices, including three cell phones. Forensic examination of the phones yielded 267 images, 32 computer-generated images, and five videos using CSAM. One device contained conversations in which Harrell discussed topics such as child pornography and incest. Harrell participated in online groups called “Cute Teens 16-19,” “Uncensored Teens,” Family Maza Incst,” and more.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Office, made the announcement after being sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr.

Assistant District Attorney Matthew Heck prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the 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 online, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

A copy of this press release can be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-19.