Current:Home > FinanceMichigan man sentenced to 30 years in prison for role in online child exploitation ring -EquityExchange
Michigan man sentenced to 30 years in prison for role in online child exploitation ring
View
Date:2025-04-16 19:00:11
DETROIT (AP) — A Michigan man who admitted to exploiting a girl was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in federal prison in an investigation of a sinister online community that pressures children into committing acts of self-harm and creating sexual abuse images.
Richard Densmore ran chat rooms as a member of 764, an international group that targets kids online, particularly children with mental health challenges, the U.S. Justice Department said.
“This group seeks to do unspeakable harm to children to advance their goals of destroying civilized society, fomenting civil unrest and ultimately collapsing government institutions,” Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen told reporters.
Densmore, 47, received the maximum sentence from U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou during an appearance in federal court in Lansing.
“It is quite difficult, really, to overstate the depravity of Mr. Densmore’s crime and the threat that criminal networks like 764 present,” said Mark Totten, the U.S. attorney in western Michigan.
Densmore in July pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, acknowledging that he received a video of a nude girl with his nickname written on her chest. In a court filing, the government said that he had more victims and that his actions made him a “sensation” among allies.
Defense attorney Christopher Gibbons did not immediately return a message seeking comment after the sentencing. In a court filing, he said Densmore, an Army veteran, freely admitted his wrongdoing.
“He has not minimized the extent and wrongfulness of his conduct,” Gibbons wrote.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Townshend said Densmore and others bragged about having images of children cutting and abusing themselves, “which they treated as trophies, social currency, and leverage to extort children into a cycle of continuous abuse.”
veryGood! (414)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- How the U.S. has increased its military presence in the Middle East amid Israel-Hamas war
- Nacho average bear: Florida mammal swipes $45 Taco Bell order from porch after Uber Eats delivery
- Biden administration says colleges must fight ‘alarming rise’ in antisemitism and Islamophobia
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Cody Dorman, who watched namesake horse win Breeders’ Cup race, dies on trip home
- Sweden’s largest egg producer to cull all its chickens following recurrent salmonella outbreaks
- My eating disorder consumed me. We deserve to be heard – and our illness treated like any other.
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Fantasy football buy low, sell high Week 10: 10 players to trade this week
Ranking
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- How to see word count on Google Docs: Check progress on your writing project in real time.
- A prosecutor says a foreign link is possible to the dozens of Stars of David stenciled around Paris
- Are I-bonds a good investment now? Here's what to know.
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- Cyprus has a plan for a humanitarian sea corridor to Gaza and will present it to EU leaders
- Children who survive shootings endure huge health obstacles and costs
- What stores are open on Thanksgiving and Black Friday 2023?
Recommendation
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
Sweden’s largest egg producer to cull all its chickens following recurrent salmonella outbreaks
Dean McDermott Packs on the PDA With Lily Calo Amid Tori Spelling's New Romance
It’s Election Day. Here is what you need to know
Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
Democrats win in several states on abortion rights and other highlights from Tuesday’s elections
Pennsylvania voters weigh abortion rights in open state Supreme Court seat
Man charged in shooting over Spanish conquistador statue appeals detention order pending trial