RESTON, VA — A man with homes in Reston and San Jose, California, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring to distribute child pornography, according to federal prosecutors and court records.
Scott Keith Baldwin Jr., 58, remains in federal custody and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison, prosecutors said. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2027, before U.S. District Judge Beth L. Freeman.
The investigation included searches of Baldwin's residences in both Reston and San Jose on July 19, 2024, according to an FBI affidavit filed with the original criminal complaint.
According to prosecutors' account of his plea agreement, Baldwin was an active member of an invitation-only online group dedicated to sharing links and saved files containing child sexual abuse material.
FBI Special Agent William Scullin wrote in the affidavit that investigators identified Baldwin as a member of the online group in May 2024. The affidavit alleged that Baldwin shared links to videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors.
Investigators obtained warrants for both residences and seized several electronic devices during the searches, according to the affidavit.
At the San Jose residence, agents 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, Scullin wrote.
The affidavit said the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children identified 158 victim series among the material in July 2025. Prosecutors said the seized drive contained images and videos depicting abuse of young children, including toddlers.
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.
In addition to prison time, Baldwin faces a fine of up to $250,000, a special assessment of up to $35,000 and mandatory restitution to victims, according to prosecutors. The court will determine his sentence after considering federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI's Child Exploitation Operational Unit investigated the case with assistance from the bureau's Washington and San Francisco field offices. Justice Department trial attorney Nadia Prinz and Assistant U.S. Attorney Marissa Harris are prosecuting.
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