Area Man Who Solicited Sex Videos from Child Gets 30 Years

A 51-year-old Sterling Heights man who convinced a 13-year-old girl to share sexually explicit pictures and videos with him via social media was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison Wednesday, authorities said.

Dennis George Dehate was convicted in federal court in January of producing child pornography and enticing a minor online, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade said.Evidence presented by prosecutors during Dehate’s trial showed he used the text message application, KIK, to communicate with the girl, who lives in another state.

“Cell phone technology now provides a virtual doorway for sexual predators to enter children’s bedrooms from many states away,” McQuade said in a statement.

• Get Patch’s daily newsletter and real-time news alerts.

“We urge parents to talk to their children about the dangers of communicating with strangers online, and to assure children that if they are victimized, they should never be ashamed to ask for help,” McQuade said.

Gelios added that anyone with information regarding similar activity should immediately contact their nearest FBI field office or law enforcement agency.

The case, investigated by the FBI’s special agents, is part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maggie Smith.