A St. Louis man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for violating federal child exploitation laws.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Rob Holman of the United States Secret Service, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron,
and Chief Arthur Ealum Jr. of the Owensboro Police Department made the announcement. 54-year-old Christopher Bertolett previously pled guilty to online enticement of a minor, transfer of obscene material to a minor, production of child pornography, and interstate travel to engage in illegal sexual activity.
In the change of plea hearing, Bertolett admitted that in January 2021, he met a 14-year-old girl through an online software application. The girl lived in Owensboro, Kentucky and Bertolett lived
in Saint Louis, Missouri. The two communicated online from January 2021 until May 2021. Bertolett and the girl discussed a variety of topics while communicating online, including sexual
activity. On or about February 4, 2021, Bertolett sent the 14-year-old girl pictures of his genitalia. On or about May 9, 2021, Bertolett rented a car and drove from Saint Louis to Owensboro where
he met the girl, drove her to an Owensboro motel, and sexually exploited her. Law enforcement officials arrested Bertolett on May 10, 2021.
In addition to the 30-year prison sentence, Bertolett was ordered to pay the victim $10,000.00 in restitution. He was also ordered to serve a life term of supervised release after his release from prison. There is no parole in the federal system. Assistant United States Attorneys Jo E. Lawless and Raymond McGee prosecuted the case. The United States Secret Service, the Kentucky Office of Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations, and the Owensboro Police Department conducted the investigation.
