Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the FBI, have announced charges against Lonnie Youmans for sexual exploitation of a child, receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography. Youmans was apprehended in Newburgh, New York, and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court, where he was ordered to remain in custody.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated, "As alleged, Lonnie Youmans used Discord as a hunting ground to find, manipulate, and sextort our most vulnerable in a horrific scheme to obtain child pornography. Every New Yorker and every American loathes the exploitation of children. Together with our partners, we will deploy every resource to relentlessly pursue and bring to justice those who prey on our children."
Christopher G. Raia of the FBI remarked, "Lonnie Youmans allegedly devised a twisted scheme to obtain sexually explicit images of young children and extorted a minor to produce pornographic content with threats of blackmail. This alleged cyclical abuse groomed victims into submission, perpetuating increased victimization without reprieve. May this arrest highlight the FBI’s stout commitment to apprehending any individual who repeatedly sexually exploits children for depraved gratification."
According to the complaint, from January 2024, Youmans used Discord and under aliases "Zenheatsu" and "Leyley," targeted minors as young as 12, coercing them to send explicit images. Youmans allegedly threatened to release these images to procure more photos and enlist additional victims. A 15-year-old, referred to as Victim-1, was allegedly manipulated by Youmans to produce sexually explicit images.
On April 29, federal agents searched Youmans' residence and found numerous files of child pornography. He reportedly admitted awareness of the illegality of the images.
Youmans, aged 22 and from Newburgh, faces charges with significant potential sentences: sexual exploitation of a child, carrying a 15-year minimum and 30-year maximum; receipt and distribution of child pornography, with a five-year minimum and 20-year maximum; and possession of child pornography, with a maximum of 20 years. These potential sentences are defined by Congress, with any final ruling to be determined by a judge.
Clayton acknowledged the efforts of the FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, and local police departments of Wallkill and Newburgh. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reyhan Watson from the White Plains Division. The charges are currently accusations, with Youmans presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.