Jayson Fernandez Butay, a 30-year-old resident of Sacramento, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for producing and possessing child sexual abuse material. The sentence was delivered by U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb, with Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announcing the decision. In addition to his prison term, Butay has been ordered to pay $118,278 in restitution to his victims.
Court documents reveal that in April 2019, Butay engaged with a 15-year-old girl from Finland via Snapchat under false pretenses, convincing her to send him explicit images. He then threatened to expose these images unless she provided more explicit content, ultimately obtaining additional material from her. Butay also produced child sexual abuse material involving other minors, including an unidentified 9-year-old girl.
Federal agents executed search warrants at Butay’s Sacramento residence and confiscated hundreds of exploitative images and videos from his digital devices.
“This investigation highlights the serious threat sextortionists pose to children who use popular messaging and social media apps,” stated FBI Sacramento Field Office Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. “Online anonymity combined with the natural inexperience of youth creates a dangerous environment that parents must better understand and monitor.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stefanki prosecuting.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through collaboration among federal, state, and local resources.
