United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan
09/18/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/19/2024 12:18
KIMBALL TOWNSHIP MEN SENTENCED TO 50 YEARS FOR SEXUALLY EXPLOITING CHILDREN
Press Release
KIMBALL TOWNSHIP MEN SENTENCED TO 50 YEARS FOR SEXUALLY EXPLOITING CHILDREN
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Michigan
DETROIT - Two Kimball Township men were each sentenced to 50 years for sexually exploiting children, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Douglas Zloto, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service.
Austin Ray Sabb-Visga, 30, and Todd Allen Sabb-Visga, 48, both of Kimball Township, Michigan, were sentenced today by United States District Judge Laurie J. Michelson, after having pleaded guilty in May 2024.
The Sabb-Visgas sexually exploited children entrusted to their care and videotaped their abuse. Austin Sabb-Visga also distributed videos of the abuse to Todd Sabb-Visga and others. In June 2023, Michigan State Police and the United States Secret Service were alerted to the Sabb-Visgas' crimes after a tipster informed the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Austin Sabb-Visga sent an image of child pornography. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Sabb-Visgas' home, seizing several cell phones. Forensic examination of the devices revealed the prolific abuse of one child over the course of at least a year and the exploitation of at least two other children.
In addition to their federal convictions, the Sabb-Visgas also pleaded guilty in St. Clair County to two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. They were each sentenced to 50 years in prison for their state crimes.
"These sentences should send a strong message to these defendants and others like them who exploit our children behind closed doors and online," U.S. Attorney Ison said. "For those who refuse to heed this message, we will search high and low for you."
"The Secret Service would like to recognize the dedicated personnel of the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for their tenacity in identifying child predators and delivering justice for the victims of this case - which we know can never be enough," stated Douglas Zloto, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Detroit Field Office. "We are especially thankful for our partnership on the Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and for the strong support of the U.S. Attorney's Office, who work tirelessly
to deliver justice for the most vulnerable of victims - those who are defenseless against the worst among us. Hopefully, these sentences provide a clear deterrent to other who are thinking about committing crimes against children."
This case was investigated by the Secret Service and the Michigan State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara Hindelang and Doug Salzenstein.
Updated September 19, 2024
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