Tomball man sentenced for possession of sexually explicit videos and images of children

HOUSTON – A 53-year-old Houston-area resident has been ordered to federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse material, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Sean M. Doran pleaded guilty April 24, 2025.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt sentenced Doran to 60 months in federal prison Jan. 6. At the hearing, the court heard additional information detailing how Doran possessed over 500 images on seven devices. Some of the images portrayed sadomasochistic conduct and bestiality with minors younger than the age of three.

In handing down the sentence, the court noted Doran’s conduct contributed to trauma the victims suffered. Doran was further ordered to pay $55,000 in restitution to the victims and will serve 10 years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous conditions designed to restrict his access to both children and the internet. Doran will also be ordered to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

On July 29, 2020, law enforcement discovered an online user, later identified as Doran, sharing multiple files containing CSAM in a public Kik chat room. The videos and images depicted children under the age of 12 in various sexual acts with adults, animals and other victims.

Authorities obtained a search warrant for Doran’s residence and seized his electronic devices. Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of 62 images and seven videos of CSAM.

Doran will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ekua Assabill prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.