Nola Reporter

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Christopher Michael Sommers, aged 42 from Slidell, Louisiana, has pled guilty to possession of materials involving the sexual exploitation of minors. This violation falls under Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B) and (b)(2). Sommers faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment and could face up to twenty years. Additionally, he may be fined up to $250,000 or an amount greater than twice the gross gain or loss related to the offense. After his release from prison, Sommers will also serve a supervised release term ranging from five years to life and must pay a $100 special assessment fee.

Sommers's sentencing includes a ten-year mandatory minimum enhancement due to a previous conviction on December 13, 2011, for receipt of child pornography in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

The case originated from an undercover online investigation by the Apache Junction Police Department in Arizona into individuals sharing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). On April 3, 2024, Homeland Security Investigations agents executed a federal search warrant at Sommers's residence in Slidell with assistance from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation. Authorities discovered a Samsung USB thumb drive containing 950 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.

Sentencing is set for December 18, 2024, before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project coordinates resources at federal, state, and local levels to prosecute offenders exploiting children online and rescuing victims.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office acknowledged contributions from multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations; St Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office; Apache Junction Police Department; and Louisiana Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba is handling prosecution as Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.