Texas man sent to prison for 30 years after soliciting sexually explicit images of minors in foreign country

GALVESTON, Texas - A 47-year-old League City man has been ordered to federal prison for production, receipt and possession of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.

Jeffrey Scott Lacy pleaded guilty Feb. 10.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Vincent Brown has now sentenced Lacy to 360 months to be immediately followed by six years of supervised release. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Lacy will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

From 2017 to 2023, Lacy used an online platform to solicit and purchase explicit livestream videos of children as young as four from individuals in the Philippines.

The investigation revealed Lacy would negotiate prices for these videos.

A search warrant at Lacy's residence resulted in the seizure of his cell phone and laptop. Forensic examination ultimately uncovered 20 images depicting child sexual abuse material and multiple messages with an individual in the Philippines who had access to a minor victim.

Further investigation revealed messages in which Lacy discussed providing a phone in exchange for images and videos of CSAM. He also requested sexual activity via video calls and expressed interest in traveling in order to have sex with the minor. Lacy repeatedly requested additional explicit images of the victim, including while she was bathing.

Lacy has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations-Galveston, Pearland Police Department, League City Police Department and Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Ann Leo prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ's PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.