Former Customs Officer Pleads Guilty To Possessing Child Porn

MANASSAS, VA — A man from Manassas pleaded guilty to seven counts of possessing child pornography in Prince William Circuit Court on Thursday, according to the Office of Attorney General Mark Herring. They identified the man as Steve Keith Didieu, a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer.

According to evidence presented in court, Didieu used the internet to obtain and trade images of children being sexually abused. Authorities said they were able to connect Didieu to the crimes through records associated with his social media account.

"Any individual who partakes in exploiting children should be brought to justice for their heinous crimes," Attorney General Herring said. "Possessing child pornography significantly contributes to the cycle of abuse that these young victims endure and this defendant played a role in the further victimization of these children."

Didieu is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 2, 2021. He could face up to 20 years in prison, according to sentencing guidelines.

In a news release, investigators noted that some offenders like Didieu use their position to abuse children. "Time and time again, child predators abuse positions of trust to prey on children. Law enforcement officers are not above the law," said Raymond Villanueva, a Special Agent in Charge with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. "Each time an image or video is shared, the child is victimized all over again."

Authorities claimed that Didieu used an array of social media platforms to trade child pornography with other people. The pictures on Didieu's social media accounts showed children as young as toddlers being sexually abused, according to the attorney general's office.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center can provide information about reporting and coping with sexual abuse. Their website also features training materials and tips to prevent sexual abuse.

The Rape Abuse and Incest National Network operates a 24/7 hotline for victims of sexual assault. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-4673.