Robeson County Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Pornography

WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Zackary Helsel, 26, to 25 years in prison for recording his rape of a 12-year-old girl. On March 12, 2026, Helsel pleaded guilty to the production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).   

 “Protecting our children is the highest priority for federal prosecutors in the EDNC. We will prosecute anyone engaging in this heinous conduct to the fullest extent of the law. We will stomp out evil behavior by depraved spiders like this whenever we find them.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.     

Helsel repeatedly sexually abused a 12-year-old girl between February and May 2025. Helsel recorded at least some of this horrendous sexual abuse on his cell phone and used the content to blackmail his victim. While executing a search warrant, law enforcement discovered the video he made on his cell phone.     

Ellis Boyle, 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. The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI investigated the case, and Assistant United States Attorney Karen Haughton prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on our website. 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. 7:25-cr-00098.