Convicted sex offender sentenced for child pornography

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man with two previous convictions for sexual offenses involving minors was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for receipt of child pornography.

According to court documents, on Feb. 12, 2022, a person contacted Newport News Police to report sexually inappropriate messages between a minor and Eric Alan Starling, 45, on Snapchat. On March 8, 2022, an FBI task force officer contacted a probation officer and confirmed Starling’s identity and his status as a registered sex offender. A search of Starling’s Snapchat account confirmed that Starling was engaging in sexually inappropriate chats in which he openly admitted to being a sex offender and discussing with the minor how this could be a problem given their relative ages. Starling also had conversations with an underage individual that included talking about having sex with that individual and sending sexually inappropriate photos of himself.

On June 28, 2023, a federal search warrant was executed on Starling’s residence. Nine electronic devices were seized. After being caught, Starling admitted that he was in possession of “all kinds” of pornography. Forensic analysis of his devices showed images of child sex abuse material.

Starling was convicted on state charges in Virginia in 2006 and 2009. In 2006, Starling was found guilty of using a computer to solicit a minor. In 2009, Starling was found guilty of aggravated sexual battery of a child, taking indecent liberties with children, and sexually explicit material with a minor.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, and Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Devon Heath and Lisa McKeel prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-cr-52.