Daniel Perryman Collins, a 34-year-old resident of Pineville, Louisiana, has been sentenced to over 27 years in prison for his involvement in the sexual exploitation of children and the production of child pornography. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell handed down the sentence following an investigation that uncovered Collins' activities on the dark web related to exploiting minors.
From January to November 2023, Collins and his co-defendant Michael Bo Peacock engaged in criminal acts where they coerced minors into producing sexually explicit images and videos. Acting from Pineville, while Peacock operated from Dallas, Texas, they used threats and blackmail to manipulate their victims.
The court was presented with evidence showing how Collins and Peacock contacted minors through social media platforms like SnapChat. They would convince these minors to engage in explicit conduct and record it. The pair then used these recordings as leverage to demand more material from their victims.
To distribute this illicit content without detection, Collins and Peacock shared access to a cloud-based file hosting service located overseas. This platform allowed them to store and exchange child pornography securely using encryption keys.
A search warrant executed at Collins’ residence on November 16, 2023, led law enforcement agents to access this file hosting account. The FBI's Child Exploitation Operational Unit discovered that over 100 children had been exploited by Collins and Peacock through their activities.
Collins admitted guilt on charges of conspiracy to produce child pornography and enticing a minor into criminal sexual activity on November 21, 2024. His co-defendant Peacock pleaded guilty on December 23, 2024; his sentencing is pending.
Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook condemned the actions as "horrendous and sickening," emphasizing the increasing prevalence of such cases domestically and internationally. He urged parents to remain vigilant against potential threats posed by online predators.
FBI Criminal Investigative Division Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough highlighted the agency's commitment: “Through relentless investigations and cutting-edge technology... Today’s sentencing sends the message that the FBI is committed to protecting vulnerable lives.”
The case was pursued by FBI units based in New Orleans and Dallas with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Danny Siefker.
For those needing assistance or wishing to report incidents involving child sexual abuse materials—referred legally as "child pornography"—the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children offers resources via its website or hotline at 1-800-843-5678.