Colonial Heights Man Sentenced for Coercion and Enticement of a Minor and Receipt of Child Pornography

RICHMOND, VA—Robert Kropp, 26, of Colonial Heights, Virginia, was sentenced today for coercion and enticement of a minor under the age of 15 and receipt of child pornography. Kropp was sentenced to 120 months in prison on each of the two counts, to run concurrently, followed by 20 years of supervised release on each count. In addition, Kropp was assessed a fine of $15,000.00.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Jeffery C. Mazanec, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Henry E. Hudson.

Kropp pled guilty on May 7, 2013, to coercion and enticement of a minor under the age of 15 and receipt of child pornography. According to court documents, in March 2013, Kropp began corresponding by e-mail with an individual he believed to be a prostitute. Kropp initially inquired of the prostitute whether she knew of any minors with whom he could engage in sexual activity. Through these communications, Kropp was informed that the individual with whom he was corresponding knew a 13-year-old female.

Also in March 2013, Kropp used his cell phone to send text messages and make telephone calls to engage in sexually explicit conversations with an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old female. Kropp discussed specific sex acts that he would like to engage in with her and directed the minor to a website where she could obtain pornography to prepare for the encounter.

On March 7, 2013, Kropp arrived at a hotel where he believed he would be meeting the minor. Kropp had $200 in his pocket, which he intended to use to pay for the sexual encounter with the minor. Kropp was arrested by law enforcement after entering the hotel and proceeding to the floor where he believed the minor’s room to be.

Kropp admitted to downloading child pornography on his computer. A subsequent forensic search of his computer revealed numerous images of child erotica and child pornography.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Angela Mastandrea-Miller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.