In the near future, I am planning on introducing legislation that will provide a sentencing enhancement when a defendant is convicted of creating, distributing or possessing child sexual abuse material (“CSAM”) that depicts the defendant’s relative.

Recently, while speaking with a local prosecutor I was informed that law enforcement is dealing with an increase in CSAM cases that involve incest. Horrifically, law enforcement discovered in the communications of some of these defendants that they stated to one another it would be easier to raise and utilize their own children and relatives rather than employ human trafficking methods to find victims to create CSAM.

Under current law, there is no increased penalty for the crime of sexual abuse of children when the person convicted of creating, distributing or possessing CSAM depicts their relative. My legislation will remedy this loophole, by asking the Sentencing Commission to provide a sentencing enhancement within its guidelines when this occurs. This type of evil is unspeakable and those who engage in it must be punished accordingly. I believe this enhancement will give law enforcement and prosecutors another tool to help stop these monsters from preying on the children in our communities.

Please join me in cosponsoring this important legislation.