Convicted Santa Cruz Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possessing Child Pornography

SAN JOSE, CA—Steven Hibbett was sentenced yesterday afternoon to 10 years in prison for possession of child pornography, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.

On July 29, 2013, Hibbett pleaded guilty to an information alleging possession of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B). In pleading guilty, Hibbett, 59, of Santa Cruz, admitted that he downloaded child pornography from the Internet onto a laptop computer that law enforcement seized from a Santa Cruz storage locker. Hibbett also admitted that he knowingly possessed over 600 images of child pornography, including images of prepubescent minors and images portraying sadistic or masochistic conduct. Hibbett also admitted that he possessed these images of child pornography while on state probation for a prior 2009 California felony conviction for possessing child pornography.

The Honorable Edward J. Davila, U.S. District Court Judge, handled down the 10-year sentence. Judge Davila also sentenced the defendant to a five-year period of supervised release and ordered him to register as a sex offender and to participate in a sex offender treatment program. Hibbett has been in federal custody since he was originally charged by complaint and made his initial appearance in federal court on April 18, 2013.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Fazioli prosecuted the case with the assistance of Laurie Worthen. The prosecution is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Santa Cruz Police Department.