Katie 
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.
Yesterday 31-year-old Randall Tilton pleaded guilty to seven counts of production of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer.
According to The Day, Meyer took nearly two hours to review the plea deal with Tilton before he merely stated, "I do" in acknowledgment of his guilt.
A statement released from the Department of Justice stated that based on information retrieved from Tilton's electronic devices, he was accused of sexually abusing multiple minors beginning in approximately 2014 in three different states.
The victims, all between the ages of four-months and eight-years, were assaulted in California, New Hampshire and Connecticut where he had been stationed since 2016 at the Naval Submarine Base in Gronton.
November 1, 2019 Tilton was arrested on charges of sexual assault after he admitted to the Town of Groton Police that he had abused several minors and recorded the assault. He has remained in custody since his arrest.
A forensic examination of his electronic devices and two flash drives revealed both still images and recorded video of various sexual assaults on the seven identified victims including some in which Tilton had restrained the minors. Further examination revealed that he had thousands more files depicting the sexual abuse of children and infants, and even images of sexual acts on the corpse of a minor.
It was additionally determined that he had shared some of the images and videos of abuse on the dark web.
Each charge of production of child pornography carries with it a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years.
His sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 1, 2021 at which time parents of the victims, or the victims themselves will be able to give victim impact statements if they so desire.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford will be arguing at that time for a sentence of 210 years.
Meyer has stated that he will rule in a manner that takes into account the seriousness of the charges and serves as a deterrent for any that could be considering such a crime. He said, "You can never go back, ever, in indulging in this kind of abuse or exploitation of children."
The Day disclosed that Tilton is also facing charges at the state level. The case has remained sealed during the course of the federal investigation.
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