Lawrenceville Man Coerced Minor Into Making Pornography: Feds

A Lawrenceville man has been charged with coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct and with receiving images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said Tuesday afternoon.

Curtis E. Thompson, 30, was charged by complaint with one count of the production of child pornography and one count of receiving child pornography.

Thompson stands accused of using the fake Facebook name of Frank Lucas to befriend a minor online in April of this year, according to the complaint. Thompson learned that the person was under 18 years old on June 11.

Thompson allegedly used the Facebook account to solicit and persuade the child to record videos of the child and others engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and to send those videos to Thompson.

Thompson also allegedly coerced the child to engage in sexually explicit conduct and allow Thompson to watch in real time through a video streaming service.

Thompson allegedly requested additional videos of the victim and others engaged in sexually explicit conduct in exchange for payments from Thompson wired via MoneyGram to those involved. Thompson allegedly sent the payments on various dates in June

The charge of production of child pornography carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison, a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The charge of receiving child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.