Show-Me State Times

ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark on Thursday sentenced a man from Hawaii to 20 years in prison for the sextortion of a 14-year-old Missouri girl and the distribution of explicit images of other minors.

Gerardo Javier Montes traded child sexual abuse material with others online, including images of his former girlfriends when they were minors and other child victims that he provided with money, gift cards, clothes, sexual toys or electronics in exchange for nude images. Those victims include one girl in Oklahoma, one in Texas and one in Colorado.

Montes made posts and comments in teen-focused Reddit groups, as well as groups discussing depression and rape fantasies. He also admitted seeking child sexual abuse material from other minors online. In February 2021, he asked someone who said she had been sexually abused as a minor for nude images of herself when she was 13. In December 2021, Montes asked a 12-year-old girl if she wanted to see his genitals and asked to see her nude.

Between Dec. 6, 2021, and Jan. 14, 2022, Montes communicated with the 14-year-old Missouri victim via Reddit. She thought he was 21 but later found out that he was 31. Montes turned their conversations to sexual matters and gave her advice on how to create nude images. He also sent her an explicit image of a 15-year-old that he said was an ex-girlfriend. At one point, she sent him an image of herself in a bra and a picture of herself topless. Montes requested more pictures from the victim. She later told Montes her full name.

On Jan. 13, 2022, the victim tried to cut off contact with Montes. He threatened to post nude photos of her on multiple social media sites and send those images to “every school in the state.” He demanded more pictures, providing a detailed list of what he wanted, and tried to get her to engage in sexual activity with a dog. He also created a fake Reddit account pretending to be a 15-year-old girl to try and trick the victim into providing nude images. On Jan. 15, 2022, he sent images of the victim to someone else via Discord.

An investigation began after the FBI received a tip about the sextortion and traced the blackmailer to Hawaii where they performed a court-approved search of his home and seized electronic devices containing child sexual abuse material.

“We are not only holding Gerardo Montes accountable for his crimes; we have stopped him in his tracks from exploiting more victims,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the FBI St. Louis Division. “Montes spent significant time hunting and manipulating young girls who were vulnerable to his abuse.”

Montes pleaded guilty in March to one felony count of distribution of child pornography.

The FBI investigated the case while Assistant U.S Attorney Kyle Bateman prosecuted it.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) has detailed information on resources for sextortion victims including videos and discussion guides designed to help explain this problem both children adults alike They also provide step-by-step instructions on reporting inappropriate pictures videos social media companies flagging content ensuring removal

To report sextortion contact local law enforcement FBI by calling Call-800-CALL-FBI contacting your local office reporting online at tips.fbi.gov cybertipline.org

This case part Project Safe Childhood nationwide initiative combat growing epidemic launched May Department Justice Led U.S Attorneys Offices Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation Obscenity Section marshals federal state local resources better locate apprehend prosecute individuals exploit children internet identify rescue victims For more information visit www.justice.gov/psc