Indiana man sentenced to 60 years for child sexual exploitation following ICE HSI Fort Wayne investigation

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - An ICE Homeland Security Investigations Fort Wayne case has led to a Roanoke man being sentenced for sexual exploitation of children.

HSI and the Department of Justice announced the sentencing of Cecil Spangler, 37, to 60 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, on May 28. Restitution will be imposed at a later date.

"Cecil Spangler's horrific conduct has caused unimaginable physical and emotional trauma to children," said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. "I'm proud of our agents' diligence and tenacity in facilitating this 60-year sentence, ensuring he can never hurt another child."

According to documents in the case, between June 2021 and August 2023, Spangler used a child to engage in sexual conduct and produced a visual depiction of that conduct.

"A predator who used a minor to engage in sexual conduct and produced a visual depiction of that sexual conduct will spend the next 60 years in prison for his sick and depraved decisions. He did this over the period between June 2021 and August 2023. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Department of Homeland Security - HSI, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Indiana State Police, the Huntington County Sheriff's Office, the Roanoke Police Department, and Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery, along with support and coordination of the Huntington County Prosecutor's Office led by Prosecutor Jeremy Nix and Chief Deputy Theresa Searles, the defendant was arrested, prosecuted, convicted, sentenced and locked up in a place where he can no longer harm children," U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred said.

This case was investigated by HSI Fort Wayne with assistance from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Indiana State Police, the Huntington County Sheriff's Office, the Roanoke Police Department, and the Huntington County Prosecutor's Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.

Read more about this case on Justice.gov.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the DOJ's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about HSI Fort Wayne's mission to increase public safety in our communities on X at @HSIChicago.