Peter Yang, a 34-year-old resident of Fresno, has entered a guilty plea to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
Court documents reveal that between November 2021 and March 2022, Yang engaged in communication with a 15-year-old victim from Missouri via the gaming platform Among Us, followed by interactions on Discord and FaceTime. During this period, Yang coerced the minor into producing and sending sexually explicit images to him. Furthermore, Yang discussed plans to travel from California to Missouri with the intention of meeting the victim at a motel close to their residence.
The investigation leading to Yang's guilty plea was conducted by the Christian County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office and the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa is responsible for prosecuting the case.
Yang could face up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced on July 14, 2025. However, the final sentence will be determined by the court after evaluating applicable statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program coordinates efforts among federal, state, and local resources to locate offenders who exploit children and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc under the “resources” tab for internet-safety education.