Houston, TX — A 46-year-old Houston man has been sentenced to life in federal prison for multiple offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
Dustin Gentry, who previously pleaded guilty May 11, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks following a hearing September 2.
Gentry pleaded guilty to offenses involving:
• Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
• Possession of Child Pornography
• Sexual Exploitation of Children
• Coercion and Enticement
Federal prosecutors said Gentry had previously been convicted in 2010 of possessing child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, and was required to register as a sex offender and report changes to his online identifiers.
Investigators later determined he had failed to report those changes. During a search of his Houston residence, law enforcement discovered more than 1,000 images of CSAM on electronic devices, according to prosecutors.
Authorities also uncovered conversations with multiple minors. Prosecutors said Gentry targeted victims younger than 12 while posing as someone younger and directed children to remove clothing and pose for sexually explicit images. He also attempted to persuade one victim to create explicit images involving even younger siblings.
During sentencing, Judge Hanks described Gentry as “every parent’s worst nightmare” and said his conduct demonstrated that he would not stop unless physically prevented from offending again.
In addition to life imprisonment, Gentry was ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to a victim and will be required to re-register as a sex offender.
Gentry remains in federal custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The FBI investigated the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
CHILD SAFETY
Suspected online child sexual exploitation can be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.
Immediate danger: 911
NCMEC: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)