High School Football Coach Sentenced to 270 Months in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of 14- and 15-Year Old Girls

Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Charles Jay Eglet, age 31, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on February 12, 2020, to Production of Child Pornography and Online Enticement of A Minor To Engage in Illicit Sexual Activity. Senior United States District Judge Wm. Fremming Nielsen sentenced Eglet to a 270-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Eglet used Snapchat and other social media platforms to reach out to multiple 14- and 15-year old girls for the purpose of soliciting child pornography from them or coercing them into having sex with him. Eglet often deceived his victims into believing that he was close to their ages, when he was actually in his late twenties. He would then meet with them in person to engage in illicit sexual acts. On multiple occasions, Eglet successfully met up with a 14-year-old girl, and then a 15-year-old girl, to engage in illicit sexual conduct with them. One victim he met for the first time in person at the Northern Quest Casino when she was there with her family for a concert; another victim he met for the first time in the parking lot of a church on Spokane’s South Hill. Eglet’s victims were typically in high school or about to start high school. One victim was scheduled to begin high school in 2018 where Eglet was employed as an assistant football coach.

United States Attorney Hyslop said, “The sentence imposed today sends a stern message to those who sexually exploit children. Your exploitation of children will not be tolerated. If you have a problem, seek help. But know that if you abuse, exploit, and take advantage of children, you will be going to prison. Your criminal conduct will not go unnoticed and you will be prosecuted. Here, Eglet was an Assistant Coach; he was in a position of special trust with young people. He took advantage of them. He’s now going to jail. We hope there can be some healing for his victims, but time will tell on that.”

“The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is resolute in its commitment to bring to justice those who sexually exploit children. I commend the dedicated work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Washington State Patrol, the Spokane Police Department, and the Kalispel Tribal Police Department, who jointly investigated this case. I also commend the families of the victims in this case, who reported Eglet’s conduct to the authorities. I hope this significant sentence brings them some measure of peace.” Hyslop stated.

Hyslop concluded by saying, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington encourages all minors and their parents to ensure that minors only communicate online with people who they know IRL (“in real life”). Snapchat, in particular, automatically deletes communications, which can make it difficult for minors and their parents to report abusive online conduct. Parents must help educate their children about these dangers and they must monitor their children’s online conduct. Moms and Dads are the first line of defense for their children. That may not stop all predators, but hopefully it will help prevent some victimization of some minor children.”

FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mark Nichols said, “The exploitation of children requires decisive action. Thanks to close collaboration with our partners, we were able to put a stop to the defendant’s activities. This man, who was entrusted to mentor young people, was in actuality a predator of vulnerable girls. Today’s sentence ensures he won't be able to victimize children for years to come.”

“Homeland Security Investigations special agents won’t ever relent when it comes to protecting children and prosecuting predators whose behavior has no place in our society,” said Eben Roberts, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, Seattle. “Child sex abuse is one of the most serious crimes HSI investigates due to the lasting psychological and physical damage it can inflict on victims. We prioritize investigating monsters like this who exploit children.”

This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:

· Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;

· Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;

· Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;

· Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and

· Community awareness and educational programs.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Spokane Police Department, the Washington State Patrol, and the Kalispel Tribal Police Department. This case was prosecuted by David M. Herzog, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.