Elk Grove Man Arrested for Child Porn He Allegedly Created with Hidden Camera

An Elk Grove man was arrested Friday on charges he used a hidden camera to film children going to the bathroom or showering, then shared those videos online.

Michael Paul Gibson, 37, now faces felony charges of child pornography possession and creation, which could land him in prison for decades if convicted.

According to a Department of Justice press release, members of the Sacramento Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force searched Gibson's home Wednesday. 

"Located during the search was a hard drive that contained videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct," the press release stated. "Also located during the search were hidden-camera videos taken by the defendant in bathrooms at his house. These hidden-camera videos showed minor children using the toilet and shower in those bathrooms."

Authorities were also able to find evidence Gibson shared child pornography on peer-to-peer networks, according to court documents.

He's currently being held in the Sacramento County Main Jail without the possibility of bail.

The full Department of Justice press release follows:

ELK GROVE MAN ARRESTED FOR PRODUCING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY 

Sacramento, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today the arrest of Michael Gibson, for production and possession of child pornography.

According to a criminal complaint filed today in the case, in March 2013, a computer at the defendant’s residence was observed offering files of child pornography through an online file-sharing network.  On May 1, 2013, agents with the Sacramento Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search at the defendant’s house.  Located during the search was a hard drive that contained videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Also located during the search were hidden-camera videos taken by the defendant in bathrooms at his house.  These hidden-camera videos showed minor children using the toilet and shower in those bathrooms.

Members of the ICAC Task Force arrested the defendant today.  He was booked into Sacramento County Jail.  He will make his initial appearance in Federal court on Monday, May 6, 2013.

This case is the product of a joint investigation by the Sacramento Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Elk Grove Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Reardon is prosecuting the case.  The Sacramento ICAC is a federally and state funded task force managed by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department comprised of agents from federal, state, and local agencies.  The purpose of the Sacramento ICAC is to investigate online child exploitation crimes, including child pornography, enticement, and sex trafficking.  Anyone having information about the case should contact the ICAC Task Force at (916) 874-3003, or the Elk Grove Police Department at (916) 478-8060.

The maximum statutory penalty for a violation of production of child pornography is no less than 15 years and up to 30 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a lifetime period of supervised release.  The maximum sentence for a violation of possession of child pornography is up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a lifetime period of supervised release.  The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 

This prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing Project Safe Childhood initiative which was launched to increase federal prosecutions of sexual predators of children, and to reduce the number of Internet crimes against children including child pornography trafficking. As a part of PSC, the United States Attorney’s Office has teamed with state and local agencies and organizations to increase law enforcement presence on the Internet, and to educate the public about safe Internet use, thereby reducing the risk that children might fall prey to online sexual predators. For additional information on the PSC initiative, please go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov or call the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California and ask to speak with the PSC coordinator.

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