MN man hit with hefty prison sentence in 'shocking' child porn case
PINE CITY, Minn. (FOX 9) - A Minnesota man was sentenced to nearly three decades in federal prison for using social media to groom and abuse more than 200 minors, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Caleb McLaughlin, 26, of Pine City, was sentenced on Monday to 350 months (29 years) followed by 12 years of probation on charges of producing, receiving, and distributing images of child pornography, and coercing and enticing minors to engage in illegal sexual activity.
"For years, Caleb McLaughlin used social media to groom, sexually exploit, and abuse hundreds of minor victims. He preyed upon the most vulnerable, with some victims as young as 11 or 12 years old," said U.S. Attorney Luger in a statement. "Protecting Minnesota children from the trauma of sexual exploitation is a critical part of our mission, and I thank all of our partners in law enforcement for their diligence on this investigation."
Court records say starting in January 2019, McLaughlin used fake identities and lied about his age while talking with children between the ages of 11 and 17 years old. Of the more than 200 suspected victims, only 26 have been identified, who authorities say live in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
McLaughlin used Snapchat to coerce victims into sending videos and images that were sexual. Court records indicate McLaughlin’s cellphone and Snapchat accounts had thousands of sexual pictures and videos of minors.
According to court records, McLaughlin would meet victims in person and offer drugs, alcohol, and other gifts in exchange for sexual acts. Prosecutors allege he created child pornography by recording some of his sexual encounters and distributing the videos and pictures.
Court records say the alleged videos include the assault of a 15-year-old. She told authorities some of the encounters happened at the elementary school, ice arena, and public library parking lots in McLaughlin’s work truck. Prosecutors also alleged McLaughlin kept a "predator kit" in his vehicle with flavored alcohol and lubricant, court records claim.
McLaughlin pleaded guilty in October 2023 to five child pornography-related charges. Chief Judge Patrick J. Schlitz sentenced McLaughlin, saying it was one of the longest sentences he’s imposed, and called his behavior "shocking, even to someone like me, a federal judge who has been sentencing [child sex offenders] for over two decades," according to the DOJ press release.