Former Army Soldier Sentenced to More Than 24 Years for Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material

WILMINGTON, N.C. – A former Army soldier was sentenced today to more than 24 years (292 months) in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release for the production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).  Jason Charles Manuelito, 27, pled guilty to the offense on June 11, 2024.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Manuelito was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) after CID received multiple cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that someone using an IP address on the military base was uploading child pornography, otherwise known as child sexual abuse material (CSAM).  The individual uploaded illegal images and videos to Kik social media application, Google, and Dropbox.  Investigators determined that the IP address belonged to Manuelito.

A military search and seizure authorization was executed for Manuelito’s person and his barracks.  Digital devices were seized and analyzed, and investigators found numerous conversations between Mauelito and children where he would encourage the child to send specific images of their genitals and engaging in sexual acts. Manuelito would, often times, send explicit images of his genitals to the children.  There were approximately nine victims identified and interviewed and many others unidentified. Some of the victims were as young as 11 years old when Manuelito was enticing them to self-produce child sexual abuse material and share it with him. In a recorded interview with law enforcement, Manuelito admitted he had been involved in online relationships with minors. During the course of those online relationships both he and the victim would engage in sexualized conversations and then exchange illicit images.

Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II.  Army Criminal Investigation Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-CR-00200.

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