Portland Man Sentenced for Producing Child Pornography

PORTLAND, OR—Terry Lee Leichleiter, 43, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison yesterday by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Jones after pleading guilty on April 17, 2012, to a charge of producing child pornography involving a 15-year-old female. He was also sentenced to a lifetime of supervision with the U.S. Probation Department and will be required to register as a sex offender.

The case arose in August 2011 when Leichleiter used a “chat line” service to place an oral advertisement soliciting females to engage in a pornographic film for money. The victim responded to the advertisement and initially told Leichleiter she was 18 years old. In reality, the victim was 15 years old but did not disclose her actual age. After Leichleiter began to press the victim about her commitment to making the film, she told him that she was only 16 so he would not be surprised by her youthful appearance when they met. Prior to producing the film, Leichleiter required the victim to travel to his mother’s apartment, where he explained that he would have to “break her in” prior to making the film. He required the victim to perform oral sex on him and to engage in sexual intercourse with him. He told her that she would be paid for the sex later with the fee for making the film.

A few weeks later, Leichleiter told the victim that another girl had cancelled and that he needed her to “fill in” on a “gang bang” film (involving her and two men). The victim traveled to his mother’s apartment and engaged in a pornographic film where images of her performing oral and sexual intercourse with Leichleiter and his co-defendant, Benjamin Burchell were produced. Afterwards, both men walked her to a nearby store and ATM. Once there, they tricked the victim into believing they were obtaining cash for her. After waiting outside for a while, the victim went in to find that Leichleiter had gone out the back door without paying. Her subsequent calls to him went unanswered.

The federal charges arose after the victim reported the events to a counselor. After a lengthy investigation, the victim identified both men from photographic lineups as well as particular details from Leichleiter and his mother’s apartment. The details were corroborated after a federally issued search warrant was executed. Both men were indicted and ultimately arrested. During interviews with agents, Leichleiter denied having any knowledge of the victim and claimed that she had never entered his mother’s apartment. His co-defendant Burchell fully admitted to engaging in oral and sexual intercourse with the victim. He further explained how, at Leichleiter’s direction, he produced pornographic images of the victim engaging in sexually explicit conduct with Leichleiter. Burchell pled guilty to possessing child pornography on June 21, 2012. His sentencing is set for September 20, 2012.

U.S. Attorney Amanda Marshall said, “This case sends a strong message for those who sexually exploit children: we will find you and you will pay. The 180 month sentence is well-deserved.”

The investigation was initiated through the Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force (OHTTF). The OHTTF was created in May 2005. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the task force provides a comprehensive collaborative approach to combat human trafficking through partnerships between federal, state, and local law enforcement; social service providers; and other government and non-government agencies. To provide a tip on a human trafficking please contact: http://www.polarisproject.org/what-we-do/national-human-trafficking-hotline/report-a-tip or call your local law enforcement office. To find resources for human trafficking victims in Oregon please refer to: http://www.polarisproject.org/state-map/oregon.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Portland Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kemp L. Strickland.