Muskegon Man, Adam James Fitzpatrick, Sentenced To Twenty Years In Prison For Distributing Child Pornography

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Adam James Fitzpatrick, 26, of Muskegon, Michigan was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in federal prison for distributing child pornography via the Internet, U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles, Jr. announced. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney imposed a 10-year term of supervised release that will commence once Fitzpatrick is released from imprisonment. Fitzpatrick will also be required to register as a sexual offender.

          Fitzpatrick pled guilty on September 22, 2015, to distributing child pornography. He came to the attention of law enforcement in early 2015, when they discovered that he was distributing child pornography via the Internet. The FBI executed a search warrant at Fitzpatrick’s residence on August 5, 2015, and seized his computer. Forensic examination of the computer revealed thousands of images and videos, including hard-core, graphic material, such as images and videos of prepubescent children, to include infants and toddlers, being raped and tortured. Investigation further revealed that Fitzpatrick had access to children, attempted to convince other adults to abuse their children for him, and attempted to webcam with children. Fitzpatrick confessed to possessing child pornography and sharing it with others on the Internet.

          In its sentencing memorandum, the U.S. Attorney’s Office wrote that "[t]he possession and distribution of child pornography is a very serious offense in any case. But here, the extreme depravity of the defendant’s collection and conduct makes his offense all the more serious and calls for a severe punishment." Judge Maloney agreed, noting that this was the worst child pornography case he had seen.

          This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney's Office, county prosecutor's offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.

         The FBI and the Michigan State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean M. Lewis prosecuted the case.

END