March 25, 2015

Texan Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Attempting to Entice a Minor into Producing Pornography

SHREVEPORT, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Texan was sentenced to 120 months in prison for trying to lure a minor into producing a sex video.

Sach Kevin Vu, 33, of Arlington, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. for one count of attempting to entice a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to evidence presented at the October 23, 2014 guilty plea, an undercover officer posing as a 16-year-old girl responded on February 7, 2014 to an online advertisement seeking models for a photo shoot. Vu began communicating with the officer posing as a 16-year-old girl and set up a meeting in Haynesville, La., where he planned to produce a pornographic video. While arranging the meeting, Vu communicated in detail the types of sex acts he wanted performed in the video. He was arrested on February 20, 2014, in Haynesville, La., after traveling there from Texas. Sex toys and camera equipment were found in his vehicle.

“This defendant’s goal was to convince a minor to take part in sexual acts,” Finley stated. “Not only did he plan on abusing a girl, he also intended to record it. We take sexual abuse of minors and the production of child pornography seriously. If members of the public are found to be engaging in such illegal activities, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The FBI and the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Those concerned may also leave tips with the FBI at tips.fbi.gov. Tips may be submitted anonymously. The Shreveport FBI office number is (318) 861-1890.