Editor’s note: The photo the Mirror initially published in this article, “Federal Way man sentenced to 24 years for production, distribution of child rape images” was inaccurate. The Mirror strives for accuracy and regrets this error.
A 33-year-old Federal Way man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 24 years in prison for production and distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.
Victor Larry Lee Wright pleaded guilty in August 2016, admitting that he made videos of himself molesting a 7-year-old child. He then shared those images with others via a peer-to-peer file sharing program. In addition to the lengthy federal sentence, Wright faces 26 1/2 years in prison in King County Superior Court for rape of a child. U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour ordered Wright to be under a lifetime term of federal supervision following his prison term.
“This defendant violated his young victim twice. First, via sexual assault, and second by distributing images of that depraved and horrific crime across the internet,” Hayes said. “I commend the work of law enforcement to identify and arrest this defendant, and the partnership between my office and the King County Prosecutor to ensure this defendant receives long federal and state prison sentences, and a lifetime of supervision for his crimes. Our kids deserve nothing less.”
According to records in the case, in April 2015 an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations was working in an undercover capacity when he noted an individual sharing files on a peer-to-peer network. The individual provided the undercover agent with the password to access the files. The agent determined the files contained an extensive child pornography collection showing images of the rape and molestation of multiple children. Further investigation revealed the person sharing the files was Wright. In May 2015, Wright was arrested following a court authorized search of electronic devices at his Federal Way residence. Forensic examination by Homeland Security Investigations revealed the devices contained images of Wright sexually assaulting a 7-year-old child. The examination also uncovered chat messages with others where Wright discussed sexually molesting the child.
“The thorough investigative approach by our special agents not only helped secure an appropriate sentence today, but more importantly identified a victim subject to Wright’s abuse,” said Steve Cagen, a special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Seattle. “Partnering with local law enforcement, we will continue steadfast in our efforts to rid all communities of likeminded child predators.”
Wright has been in custody since his arrest in May 2015. Under the terms of the plea agreement he will plead guilty to rape of a child in King County Superior Court following his sentencing on federal charges.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Way Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kate Vaughan.
