SAN JOSE, CA — A Bay Area man admitted to sharing child porn as part of an "invite-only" online group dedicated to distributing videos depicting minors being sexually exploited, federal prosecutors said.
Scott Keith Baldwin Jr., 58, who is a dual resident of San Jose and Virginia, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute child pornography, the United States District Attorney's Office said on Tuesday.
The original criminal complaint, filed Sept. 19, 2025, charged Baldwin with possession of child pornography. The conspiracy charge to which he pleaded guilty was filed Feb. 3, 2026. Court records list a change-of-plea hearing and plea agreement filed Sept. 15.
The FBI was investigating the online group when they turned their attention towards an active member who appeared to share and post live links of children being abused.
They identified that member as Baldwin Jr. and served a warrant at his San Jose home in July 2024, authorities said.
When FBI agents searched the home, they found a portable hard drive inside a locked safe in a bedroom closet. A forensic review revealed approximately 8,000 video files, most of which appeared to depict child sexual abuse, according to an FBI affidavit.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children identified 158 victim series among the material in July 2025, according to the affidavit.
Baldwin Jr. faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000, authorities said.
Local Editor Michael O'Connell contributed to this report.
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