New Port Richey Man Sentenced For Child Exploitation

Tampa, FL – United States District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich today sentenced Mark Joseph Unrein (62, New Port Richey) to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison for using a computer and cell phone to attempt to entice a child for sex, and for possession of child pornography. He was found guilty by a jury on July 24, 2015.

According to court documents, Unrein communicated online with an undercover officer who was posing as the mother of a 12-year-old girl. Unrein discussed engaging in sexual acts with the child and traveled late at night on May 9, 2014, to a location in order to meet the “child” for sex. Upon arriving at the location, Unrein crept around the house, peered into windows, and finally approached the door, where he was arrested. Law enforcement subsequently located the computer that Unrein had used to communicate with the undercover officer. A forensic examination of that computer showed that Unrein possessed multiple images of child pornography, including pictures of children in 29 separate identified series. A number of the victims were from the United States, Germany, Norway, Canada, and other places. Unrein was also found to possess images of babies and toddlers being sexually abused, as well as children that were bound and being forced to engage in sexual acts.   

“This sentencing emphasizes the gravity of this crime,” said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. “This should serve as a shocking reminder to parents that the Internet can be dangerous and online activity of children should be appropriately monitored.”

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda C. Kaiser.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.