A Corpus Christi woman was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison after admitting to distributing child sexual abuse material online, federal prosecutors announced.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck, 46-year-old Melissa Sillers pleaded guilty on Jan. 28 to the charges.
During sentencing, the court heard evidence that Sillers exchanged child sexual abuse material with multiple people through online conversations. Prosecutors said the conversations included discussions involving children and the sharing of illegal images and videos.
The judge said distributing this type of material increases harm to victims and contributes to ongoing trauma for the children involved.
After serving her prison sentence, Sillers will also spend 15 years on supervised release.
Court records show she must follow strict rules limiting her access to children and the internet. She will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Federal investigators began looking into the case in Oct. 2022 after authorities discovered child sexual abuse material had been uploaded online.
Investigators later identified Sillers as the source.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at her home and seized her cellphone.
A forensic review of the device uncovered multiple online conversations and evidence prosecutors said showed she had shared the material about a month before her arrest.
Sillers remains in custody while awaiting transfer to a federal prison facility.
Restitution in the case will be decided at a later date.