A Waterford man was sentenced today to 50 years in federal prison after having pleaded guilty to production of child [censored]ography and commission of an offense against a child by a registered sex offender, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Acting Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.
Jostin Arthur Desco, 28, was sentenced by United States District Judge Judith E. Levy.
According to court records, Desco sexually exploited at least ten different children using a variety of methods. Desco sexually assaulted a 7 year-old boy who he knew well, recorded that abuse, and sent it to others on the dark web. Desco also used fake personas to convince several teenage boys to produce sexually explicit images and videos of themselves. Desco, using this fake persona, then convinced the boys to send the material to him. Desco then blackmailed several victims into producing more child [censored]ography for him. Desco even attempted to get some victims to commit sex acts on their siblings as part of the extortive conduct. Desco was also a member of several groups, both on the dark web and the open web, that traded child [censored]ography. Some communications between Desco and other were recovered, including one series of messages where Desco stated, “Yes I am sick and yes I am a monster.”
Desco committed most of these crimes while on parole for a previous offense of distributing child sexually abusive material. That crime required him to register as a sex offender.
“The actions of this defendant are reprehensible and demonstrate how a sexual predator can use the internet to victimize innocent children,” said US Attorney Ison. “The lengthy sentence in this case will ensure that Desco will never be able to harm a child again. It should send a clear message that those who prey on our most vulnerable citizens will be held accountable. We also hope this sentence helps to bring closure to the victims and their families.”
“Desco’s horrific crimes hurt the most vulnerable members of our community,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris III. “This sentencing sends a powerful message to those who would prey on the innocent and serves as a reminder of the work necessary to catch these predators and remove them from our communities.”
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin M. Mulcahy and Rosemary Gardey.