Child Predator Sentenced 50 Years Following FBI Online Sting

DALLAS, TX – An Arlington, Texas man was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison for the exploitation of children and related child pornography crimes, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah Monday.

Terry Ray Carter, 34, pleaded guilty in September to sexual exploitation of children and transportation of child pornography.  He was sentenced Friday before U.S. District Judge Reed C. O'Connor.

“This sentence sends a clear message to those who seek to victimize children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah.  “The Department of Justice will use every tool available to remove predators from the street or internet, and put them behind bars.”

“The FBI will continue working with our partners to apprehend and hold child predators accountable for their actions,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno. “We ask the public to alert us and local law enforcement if they suspect anyone is a victim of child exploitation.”

In June 2020, the FBI Kansas Field Office served a federal search warrant in Kansas City, Kansas for an individual who was allegedly involved in child pornography crimes. The subject of the investigation identified another individual he was chatting with on social media who was believed to be engaged in the production of child pornography.

Based on this tip, authorities began investigating Mr. Carter and established an undercover social media profile, according to court documents.  Using the screenname “alucard83,” Mr. Carter exchanged messages with an undercover officer.  During communications, Mr. Carter acknowledged committing sexual acts with a minor and sent the undercover officer images and videos of child pornography.

A federal search warrant for Mr. Carter’s residence in Arlington, Texas, was executed in July 2020. When agents arrived, Mr. Carter agreed to be interviewed.  During the interview, Mr. Carter confirmed that he sent and received child pornography through a social media application. He also confessed to producing multiple child pornography images and videos using his cell phone at his Arlington, Texas home.

The FBI Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Saleem prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department initiative designed to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. The initiative brings together federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.