Baton Rouge City Parish-Contractor Indicted for Distribution of Child Pornography

A federal grand jury recently returned an indictment charging Blake Joseph Steiner, age 37, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with distribution of child pornography.  Steiner appeared for his arraignment and pled not guilty to the pending charge.

According to the criminal complaint that preceded the indictment, in March 2024, Steiner sent a video of child pornography to an undercover agent.  The video depicts a child engaging in sexually explicit conduct with an adult male.  Steiner also expressed his sexual interests in children to the undercover agent, which included incest and bestiality.  

Distribution of child pornography is punishable by a maximum penalty of 20–40 years in prison, depending on sentencing enhancements.  Steiner also faces potential sex offender registration, supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jene C. Clayton.    

NOTE: An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury.  The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea.