Trevor Metterhauser, a 41-year-old resident of Pennsylvania, was sentenced on May 8 to 80 years in prison for attempted aggravated sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of children, and multiple counts of possession of child pornography. The charges involved two toddlers located in upstate New York and Texas.
The case underscores the severity with which federal authorities pursue crimes involving the exploitation and abuse of minors. The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York prosecutes federal criminal cases and defends civil matters on behalf of the United States; it covers an area exceeding 30,000 square miles with about 3.4 million residents across northern and central New York, according to the official website.
As part of his guilty plea, Metterhauser admitted to a prior conviction for possessing child pornography in Pennsylvania in 2011. In November 2022, he conspired with Brandon Whitford to sexually exploit a four-year-old girl in New York by traveling from Pennsylvania to record images depicting the child naked. Shortly after Metterhauser left Whitford’s home, Whitford sexually assaulted the child, recorded it, and sent that content back to Metterhauser. In December that year, Metterhauser also agreed with Carlos Julian Ruiz to sexually assault a two-year-old child in Texas; he traveled there specifically for this purpose.
Upon his arrest in early 2023 in New York State, authorities found multiple electronic devices containing recordings related to both victims as well as additional illegal material sourced from the internet.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino imposed not only an eighty-year imprisonment term but also lifetime supervised release requirements along with $78,000 restitution payments and a $1,000 special assessment.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “This defendant deserves to spend every minute of the rest of his life behind bars, and today’s sentence ensures that is just what will happen. Although nothing will take back the monstrosities he inflicted on very young, vulnerable children, I am proud that the FBI and my Office have done everything in our power to stop him and prevent him from victimizing more children. To the families of the victims and parents everywhere, please know that we will stop at nothing to take criminals like this defendant off the street—for good.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli said: “This powerful sentence is indicative of the sick and twisted behavior of this prolific predator. Trevor Metterhauser’s horrific abuse spanned multiple states and caused immeasurable harm to the children he hurt. With this sentence, he will now die in federal prison. We would like to thank our colleagues at FBI San Antonio for their assistance with ensuring the victims in this case received justice. FBI Albany’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force will continue to dedicate every resource necessary to investigate and hold accountable these depraved individuals who are preying on our children.”
Both Whitford and Ruiz have pleaded guilty for their roles related to these offenses.
The investigation was conducted by FBI offices based out of Albany (New York) as well as San Antonio (Texas). Assistant U.S Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian & Benjamin A Gillis prosecuted alongside Tracy Thompson from Texas’ Western District office.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative led by U.S Attorneys’ Offices aiming at combating growing rates of child sexual exploitation through coordinated law enforcement efforts across jurisdictions.
