Date: 01-03-2020

Case Style:

Case Number:

Judge: Joseph D. Brown

Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Jefferson County)

Plaintiff's Attorney:

Defendant's Attorney:

Description: Beaumont, TX - The United States of America charged Alexander Nathan Barter with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and distribution of child pornography.

Alexander Nathan Barter. age 23. pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and distribution of child pornography before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin.

According to information admitted by Barter as part of his plea, in October 2018, Barter posted an ad on a dark web site stating “I’d like to try necrophilia and cannibalism, and see how it feels to take a life. If you’d be willing to let me kill you, are in the US (preferably in the south) and can travel by car, contact me.” An undercover officer saw the ad and responded, utilizing the persona of a father with a 13-year old daughter. Between October 9, 2018 and October 19, 2018, Barter and the undercover officer exchanged a series of messages that included Barter’s repeated interest in raping, killing, and eating the 13-year old child. Barter provided the undercover with instructions on traveling from Florida to Shelby County, Texas, what to tell the child to get her acquiescence to travel, and how to conceal evidence of their crime. On October 19, 2018, Barter arrived at the designated meet site in Joaquin, Texas with a knife, trash bag, cellular phone, and a tablet.

“These are the cases that remind us that evil is real,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown. “It also reminds us that we are fortunate that we have law enforcement working to stop these things.”

As part of his plea, Barter also admitted to using a social media communications application, the internet, and digital devices he owned to communicate with other individuals about child pornography. On October 14, 2017, Barter offered to send videos depicting the sexual exploitation of a prepubescent female to another individual. The individual accepted the offer and Barter sent the files, along with descriptions of their contents.

Barter entered into a plea agreement with the government that includes a sentence of 240 months imprisonment on each count. Each party has reserved the right to argue that the sentences should run concurrent or consecutive. Accordingly, Barter will face a minimum term of 20 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years when he is sentenced. A sentencing date has not yet been set and the actual sentence will be determined by a federal judge at sentencing.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations in Lufkin, Beaumont, and Houston, Texas; Homeland Security Investigations Cocoa Beach, Florida, Child Exploitation Task Force; Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (Florida); Nacogdoches Police Department; Texas Department of Public Safety; Customs and Border Protection Air Units; and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

Charges:

Attempted Coercion and Enticement
(1)
Attempted Kidnapping, Aiding and Abetting
(1s)
Possession of Child Pornography
(2)
Attempted Coercion and Enticement
(2s)
Receipt of Child Pornography
(3s)
Distribution of Child Pornography and Attempt
(4s)
Distribution of Child Pornography and Attempt
(5s)

Outcome: 12/20/2019 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Keith F. Giblin:Change of Plea Hearing as to Alexander Nathan Barter held on 12/20/2019. Defendant appeared before the court with counsel, John McElroy. The parties signed the Consent to Administration of Guilty Plea. Defendant was sworn, advised of his rights, charges and penalties set forth in the Superseding Indictment. The court reviewed the plea agreement, addendum, factual basis and elements with the defendant. Defendant entered a GUILTY plea to Counts 2 and 4 of the Superseding Indictment. The court will enter a report and recommendation. Defendant remanded back into the custody of the U.S. Marshal. (Court Time: 10:40-11:01 a.m.)( Appearances: M. Miller, J. McElroy)(Courtroom Deputy/Sherre White.) (saw, ) (Entered: 12/26/2019)
12/20/2019 41 CONSENT to Administration of Guilty Plea and Fed.R.Crim.P.11 Allocution by U.S. Magistrate Judge by Alexander Nathan Barter (saw, ) (Entered: 12/26/2019)
12/20/2019 42 SEALED PLEA AGREEMENT as to Alexander Nathan Barter (saw, ) (Entered: 12/26/2019)
12/20/2019 44 Factual Basis by USA as to Alexander Nathan Barter. (saw, ) (Entered: 12/26/2019)

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