HEDGESVILLE, W.Va. — A Berkeley County man has been sentenced to five years in prison for distributing child sexual abuse material.
Octavious Young, 20, of Hedgesville, came to the attention of investigators as a result of cyber tips, according to U.S. Attorney Matt Harvey. He said multiple cyber tips were made by the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children regarding child sexual abuse material connected to an email later traced to Young.
Investigators executed search warrants on Young’s home and electronic devices, finding hundreds of child sexual abuse videos and pictures.
Young was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to any victims depicted in the materials.
When he completes his prison sentence, he will serve 60 years of supervised release and is required to register as a sex offender.
This case underscores how timely cyber tips reported to authorities play a critical role in identifying offenders, protecting children, and ensuring they are held accountable.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Crockett prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. State Police investigated.