Two Coosa County Residents Sentenced for Charges Relating to the Sexual Exploitation

           Montgomery, Alabama – On Wednesday, August 31, 2022, Michael Ochoa, 27, and Chasity Breanna Harris, 22, were sentenced for their roles in sexually exploiting a five-year old child, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. Ochoa was sentenced to 60 years for the sexual exploitation of a child and advertising child pornography. Harris was sentenced to 25 years for the sexual exploitation of a child. There is no parole in the federal system.                                 

            According to their plea agreements and other federal court documents, in January of 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a report originating in Alabama describing activity related to child pornography on Twitter. Based on that report, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) began an investigation. Ochoa and Harris, who were residing together in Coosa County, soon became suspects. When law enforcement agents searched electronic devices belonging to Ochoa and Harris, they found evidence of child pornography.

            During their June 6, 2022, plea hearing, Ochoa and Harris specifically admitted that they took pictures of a five-year-old child’s genitalia and subsequently uploaded the images to social media sites. Ochoa also admitted that he recorded the child engaging in sexually explicit conduct and that he offered to, and ultimately did, share child pornography on the Kik messaging app with another user.   

           “The conduct that occurred here was horrendous—there is no place for it in our communities,” stated United States Attorney Stewart. “The defendants harmed their victims in immeasurable ways, and the damage cannot be undone. It is my hope that the significant prison sentences imposed in this case will deter others who might prey on vulnerable children.” 

           FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown stated, "This case demonstrates the FBI's commitment, along with our partners, to protect children, who are the most vulnerable and innocent members of our community, and to bring to justice those who victimize them."

           This case was investigated by ALEA and the FBI, with assistance from NCMEC and the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted the case.