WARNING: The next story accommodates particulars that readers might discover disturbing.
A 32-year-old Saskatchewan man residing in the US has pleaded responsible to possessing youngster pornography after the usDepartment of Justice says he unknowingly supplied movies of toddlers and prepubescent boys being raped by grownup males to an FBI agent.
In keeping with the usDepartment of Justice and the US Legal professional for the District of Columbia, 32-year-old Matthew Norman Ballek from Saskatchewan contacted an secret agent pondering he was speaking with a pedophile and expressed an curiosity in youngster pornography in January 2024.
Ballek then despatched an FBI agent three video recordsdata that depicted grownup males raping toddler and prepubescent boys earlier than he was arrested within the District of Columbia on Feb. 7, 2024, a information launch mentioned.
The agent was mentioned to be monitoring a web-based relationship app that legislation enforcement mentioned it realized was generally utilized by individuals who have a sexual curiosity in youngsters.
In keeping with the discharge, the FBI additionally seized Ballek’s cellphone which it mentioned contained 10 movies and a minimum of 21 footage of kid pornography.
The discharge says Ballek has remained in custody within the U.S. since his arrest.
He faces a most sentence of 20 years in jail and a $250,000 positive, the discharge mentioned.
“As well as, Ballek should pay necessary restitution of a minimum of $3,000 to any recognized sufferer. The statutory sentences for federal offenses are prescribed by Congress and are supplied right here for informational functions solely. Any sentence will probably be decided by the Courtroom primarily based on the advisory Sentencing Pointers and different statutory components,” the discharge mentioned.
Ballek may also be required to register as a intercourse offender and be topic to potential deportation from the US, the discharge mentioned.
The U.S. Division of Justice didn’t say the place in Saskatchewan Ballek was initially from, however stories say he has ties to Outlook.
A sentencing listening to has been scheduled for March 21, 2025.
