MINNEAPOLIS – United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced that Eric Phillip Allen, 41, of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. The change in plea hearing was before U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel on October 1, 2026. Allen was originally indicted by complaint on August 14, 2024, and was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 20, 2024. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
According to court documents, between January 1, 2024, and August 2, 2024, Allen was employed as a daycare worker in Minneapolis. In his position as a daycare worker, the defendant would photograph or video record minor victims enrolled in the facility for his own sexual gratification. Allen additionally distributed other child sexual abuse material using the internet, including making lascivious comments and remarks regarding the minor victims.
“Today’s guilty plea is one step closer to holding the defendant accountable for his heinous acts against the most vulnerable. There is no higher priority for my office than safeguarding children and prosecuting those who harm them,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
“Protecting children is one of the BCA’s highest priorities, and we will pursue accountability for anyone who preys upon them,” said Drew Evans, Superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. “This was a vile crime against the most vulnerable members of society, in a place where they should be safe. Today’s guilty plea represents an important step toward accountability, and we will continue working to ensure that those who prey on children face the consequences of their actions.”
This case is the result of an investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Assistant United States Attorneys Evan Gilead, Mary S. Riverso, and William C. Mattessich are prosecuting the case.
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. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.justice.gov/psc.