Date: 12-31-2023

Case Style:

United States of America v. Michael Downs

Case Number: 4:23-cr-00122

Judge: Mark Pittman

Court:

United States District Court for Northern District of Texas

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office in Fort Worth

Defendant's Attorney:

Click Here For The Best Fort Worth Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory

Description:

Fort Worth, Texas criminal defense lawyer represented Retired Cook Children’s Hospital Chaplain for Child Pornography

A Fort Worth, Texas man who recorded himself sexually abusing a minor was sentenced yesterday to 60 years in federal prison.

Michael Downs, 71, a retired Cook Children’s Hospital chaplain, was charged via criminal complaint in March 2023 and pleaded guilty in July 2023 to two counts of sexual exploitation of children. He was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, who also ordered a lifetime of supervised release.

“This is an incredibly important case involving shocking and abhorrent conduct,” said U.S. Attorney Simonton. “One of our most veteran prosecutors worked on this matter along with our partners at Homeland Security Investigations and the Fort Worth Police Department to ensure that this defendant was brought to justice. Let this be a message to others who seek to prey on children in this way: We will do everything in our power to incapacitate you by locking you away in prison for as long as possible.”

“While preying on the vulnerability of our youth, those in positions of public trust should expect the most stern accountability for their actions,” said HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Lester R. Hayes Jr. “Due to our strong partnership with the Fort Worth Police Department, we were again successful in prosecuting another sexual predator and preventing the victimization of more children.”

According to plea papers, the investigation began on January 22, 2023 after a seventeen-year-old minor told her aunt she had been sexually abused by Mr. Downs. The minor female said Mr. Downs recorded the sexual abuse on an iPad.

Mr. Downs’ wife provided law enforcement with several electronic devices from their residence. Law enforcement located a hard drive that contained numerous videos and photos of Mr. Downs engaging in sexually explicit conduct with the minor.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Fort Worth Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aisha Saleem prosecuted the case.

Outcome: Pursuant to the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, as amended, it is the judgment of the Court that the defendant, Michael Dale Downs, in 4:23-CR-122-P, is hereby committed to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons for a period of THREE HUNDRED SIXTY (360) months as to Count One and THREE HUNDRED SIXTY (360) months as to Count Two for a total term of imprisonment of SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY (720) months of the Indictment filed on April 25, 2023. This sentence shall run concurrently with any future sentence which may be imposed in the Criminal District Court No. 2, Tarrant County, Texas, in Case No. 1768122D, which is related to the instant offense. The Court did not order a fine because the defendant does not have the financial resources or future earning capacity to pay a fine. It is further ordered that the defendant pay a special assessment of $200. The Court further concluded the defendant is indigent and the $5,000 assessment required pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3014 is waived. The Court considered the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. §§ 3553(a) & 3572 and determined the defendant does not have the financial resources or earning capacity to pay any amount of an assessment pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2259A. Therefore, the Court determined the assessment due to the United States pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2259A shall be $0. Supervised Release is Ordered for a term of LIFE as to Counts One and Two to run concurrently. The Court recommends to the BOP that the defendant be incarcerated at the FCI Seagoville facility and to be able to participate in Sex Offender Treatment while incarcerated, if possible. The Defendant is remanded to the custody of the US Marshal.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: