A federal judge in Chicago has sentenced Andrew Boltz, an Ohio resident, to 30 years in prison for sexually exploiting a minor from the Chicago area. The sentencing follows Boltz’s conviction by a federal jury in 2023 on charges of exploitation and child pornography.
Boltz began his interactions with the victim, then 16 years old, through the social media platform Omegle in 2020. He continued to communicate with her via text messages and Snapchat, where he coerced her into sending sexually explicit images and directed her on the conduct depicted.
The victim testified at trial about her experience of manipulation and degradation by Boltz. U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey delivered the sentence during a hearing held on Friday.
The announcement was made by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, alongside Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Chicago Field Office. Multiple law enforcement agencies contributed to the case, including departments from Peru, Wilmington, LaSalle County, Will County, DuPage County in Illinois as well as Norwalk and Cleveland in Ohio.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward A. Liva Jr., Elly Moheb, and Kavitha Babu prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), an initiative focused on combating child sexual exploitation nationwide.
Individuals who believe they are victims of sexual exploitation are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children online or via their hotline available around-the-clock.
