Central Texas man sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually exploiting a child

A Bastrop, Texas, man who posted images of child sexual abuse and talked about “preparing” girls for sexual activity will serve a 25-year prison sentence in a federal prison, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a press release.

Bastrop is located about 33 miles southeast of Austin.

Stuart Mitchell Pieper, 41, was convicted in federal court of sexual exploitation of a minor, Monday’s press release said.

According to court documents, Pieper was a member of a private chat group on a social networking application when he posted images depicting the sexual abuse of children through the account in July and August 2023, the press release said.

It was further stated that he had spoken in the chat group and in direct messages about how he “prepares” girls for sexual activities.

A search warrant executed on August 12, 2023 led to the seizure of phones and laptops, the press release said. During the search of his cell phone, images and videos of child sexual abuse were found.

Pieper was arrested by state authorities in Bastrop County that day. He was transferred to federal custody on November 13, 2023, the press release said.

He was charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and pleaded guilty on April 18, 2024, authorities said.

The FBI and the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with assistance from the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office and the New Albany Police Department in Ohio.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel Cohen prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the sexual exploitation and abuse of children. Launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006, the initiative brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to apprehend and prosecute criminals who exploit children over the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.