ST. PAUL, Minn. – A federal jury convicted an Albert Lea man on charges related to sextortion and child [censored]ography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk.
Following a six-day trial before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright, Travis Kyle Mayer, 32, was convicted on two counts of production and attempted production of child [censored]ography, one count of distribution of child [censored]ography, one count of possession of child [censored]ography, one count of receipt of child [censored]ography, one count of coercion and enticement of a minor, one count of committing a felony offense involving a minor while required to register as a sex offender, and one count obstruction of justice.
According to the evidence presented at trial, in 2017, Mayer downloaded and received child [censored]ography from a Russian-based child [censored]ography distribution website. In 2018, Mayer sexually exploited a 15-year-old girl, through persuasion and coercion, into producing child [censored]ography, which he then possessed and distributed. This entire time, Mayer was required to register as a sex offender. Between June 20, 2019, and October 11, 2019, Mayer attempted to obstruct the administration of justice by requesting a witness to testify falsely regarding the child sexual exploitation investigation.
Mayer faces up to life in prison. At sentencing, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Albert Lea Police Department.
This case was tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander D. Chiquoine and Joseph H. Thompson.
