Hennepin County, MN (trfnews.i234.me) — Robert James Levi, 22, a registered sex offender from Minneapolis, has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly coercing a 12-year-old girl into producing explicit images over a three-year period. The charges include production and attempted production of child pornography, coercion and enticement of a minor, and committing an offense as a registered sex offender.
According to court documents, from February 2022 through February 2025, Levi posed as a 16-year-old boy and engaged in tens of thousands of messages with the victim, convincing her they were in a relationship. Despite being convicted in February 2024 in Stearns County for second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a six-year-old girl and being placed on probation, Levi allegedly continued the exploitation during and after his conviction.
Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick stated, “Our country is enduring a sextortion epidemic… Levi faces decades in federal prison. We will prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law.” FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. added, “The fact that a registered sex offender manipulated and coerced minors into producing explicit material is both horrific and intolerable.”
Levi appeared in U.S. District Court on May 5 and was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and up to life in prison.
Did you know?
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The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported a significant increase in sextortion cases involving minors in recent years.
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In Minnesota, registered sex offenders are subject to strict supervision and reporting requirements to prevent recidivism.
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The U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative aims to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.