SOUTH BEND – Rodney McLean, 38 years old, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
McLean was sentenced to 292 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release.
“Rodney McLean will spend the next 24 years in prison after he made videos of himself having sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16. After another person located the videos and reported them to Michigan City PD, McLean was referred to the Homeland Security Investigations division and ultimately indicted and arrested. Child exploitation and production of child pornography cases are a parent’s worst nightmare. These offenses have life-altering, lasting impacts on victims and their families and require severe punishment to deter others from engaging in this heinous behavior. The United States Attorneys’ Office will use whatever resources at our disposal to aggressively prosecute these offenders and get justice for their victims.” Said U.S. Attorney Mildred.
“Protecting children from exploitation is among Homeland Security Investigations’ highest priorities,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “This investigation reflects the determination of our special agents and law enforcement partners to uncover these offenses, safeguard victims, and hold offenders accountable. No child should endure this abuse, and HSI Chicago will continue to pursue every available lead to bring those who commit these crimes before the court.”
This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Indiana State Police, Indiana State Police ICAC, the Mishawaka Police Department, and the Michigan City Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew A. Krumwied and former Assistant United States Attorney Hannah T Jones. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.