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United States of America v. William James Fitzgerald
Date: 08-01-2025
Case Number: 2:23-cr-00008
Judge: Dena Coggins
Court: The United States District Court for the Eastern District of California (Sacramento County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Sacramento
Defendant's Attorney: Click Here For The Best City Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory
Sacramento, California criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a child
Folsom Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Child
William James Fitzgerald, 25, of Folsom, pleaded guilty today to one count of sexual exploitation of a child.
Between Oct. 15, 2020, and May 4, 2022, Fitzgerald used a minor child he met on Snapchat to engage in sexually explicit conduct with her for the purpose of creating photographs and video recordings. Fitzgerald coerced and persuaded the minor child into creating multiple sexually explicit depictions at least four times by offering and later sending Amazon gift cards ranging in value from $20 to $30.
Additionally, between Feb. 9, 2021, and Feb. 20, 2021, Fitzgerald used a minor child he met on Snapchat to engage in sexually explicit conduct with her for the purpose of creating photographs and video recordings.
Finally, Fitzgerald knowingly possessed more than 1,000 files depicting the sexual abuse of children on his phone and iPad. The files included images of children engaged in sexual activity with adults and other children and adults sexually abusing toddlers.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Folsom Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitnee Goins is prosecuting the case.
Fitzgerald is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins on Nov. 7, 2025. Fitzgerald faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison with a lifetime of supervised release, restitution and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
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 the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the "resources†tab for information about internet-safety education.
Fitzgerald faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison with a lifetime of supervised release, restitution and a $250,000 fine.
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. William James Fitzgerald?
The outcome was: Fitzgerald faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison with a lifetime of supervised release, restitution and a $250,000 fine.
Which court heard United States of America v. William James Fitzgerald?
This case was heard in The United States District Court for the Eastern District of California (Sacramento County), CA. The presiding judge was Dena Coggins.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. William James Fitzgerald?
Plaintiff's attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Sacramento. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best City Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. William James Fitzgerald decided?
This case was decided on August 1, 2025.