Convicted Sex Offender Pleads Guilty To Using Snapchat To Produce Child Pornography

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of BARTON GEORGE SCOTT, 35, a registered sex offender, for producing child pornography. SCOTT, who was indicted on September 12, 2018, entered his guilty plea earlier today before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in U.S. District Court in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, between April 30 and August 8, 2017, SCOTT gained unauthorized access to the Snapchat accounts of dozens of victims, including minors between 14-16 years of age. In several cases, SCOTT used threats and extortionate tactics in an attempt to obtain sexually explicit images and videos from the victims.

Based on the evidence obtained in this case, authorities believe there may be additional victims of this alleged conduct. Anyone with information about this matter is encouraged to call the FBI at (763) 569-8000. Callers may remain anonymous.

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

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the New Richmond Police Department, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office, the Stillwater Police Department, the Spring Green Police Department, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katharine T. Buzicky is prosecuting the case.

Defendant Information:

BARTON GEORGE SCOTT, 35

City of residence unknown

Convicted:

• Production of child pornography, 1 count
• Penalties for registered sex offenders, 1 count

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600