A man from California was handed a 14-year federal prison sentence after confessing to exploiting young girls sexually through the chat platform Discord.
James Styner, 20, admitted guilt to three charges of receiving child pornography, along with one charge each of distributing child pornography and coercing a minor, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. In addition to his prison term, his sentence on Friday includes seven years of supervised release.
Prosecutors highlighted Styner’s conduct as a “widespread online effort to manipulate and abuse susceptible girls” over a period of two years. He coerced the girls into sending sexually explicit content and reciprocated by sending explicit images of himself on Discord.
Under his plea agreement, Styner acknowledged preying on twelve girls, with prosecutors confirming all victims were identified and aged between 12 and 17 years.
He engaged with at least two girls in what prosecutors described as “in-person sexual relationships.”
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said in a statement that men who exploit children will be prosecuted under the full weight of the law.
“Whether you are behind a screen or behind closed doors — we will find you and convict you,” Pirro said.
The investigation was initially conducted by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, working together with the FBI on a joint task force. Authorities in California played a significant role in assisting the investigation, according to the federal prosecutor’s office.
