Minnesota Sex Offender Indicted on Federal Child Porn Charges

"This case is a stark reminder of the depravity that exists online."

Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News) - A registered sex offender from Minnesota has been indicted on federal charges of production and attempted production of child pornography.

The US Attorney's Office for Minnesota says the the charges allege that 22-year-old Robert James Levi coerced and enticed a 12-year-old girl in another state into producing child sexual abuse material and sending it to him over the Internet. It is alleged the criminal activity occurred over a three-year period ending in February of this year.

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According to court documents, Levi "catfished" the victim by posing as a 16-year-old boy online while exchanging tens of thousands of messages with her. He is also accused of continuing to exploit the victim after he was convicted of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in Stearns County in February 2024 and was sentenced to probation.

"This case is a stark reminder of the depravity that exists online and the relentless threat posed by predators who target children,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “The fact that a registered sex offender manipulated and coerced minors into producing explicit material is both horrific and intolerable. The FBI and our partners will use every available resource to find and stop those who exploit children, and we will not rest until they are held fully accountable.”

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In addition to the child pornography charges, the Minneapolis man is also charged with coercion and enticement of a minor and offense by a registered sex offender. If convicted, Levi faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison with the possibility of a life prison sentence.

More Minnesota News:

These Common Household Items Are Now Banned In Minnesota

A hot topic lately is PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals" because they are difficult for humans to detoxify and have half-lives measured in years. These chemicals accumulate in the body over time and can cause significant health issues even at low exposure levels

PFAS are commonly found in the environment and the human body and have been linked to a range of health concerns including increased cholesterol levels, potential disruption of hormone systems, reduced immune function, increased risk of certain cancers, developmental issues in children, and reproductive problems, particularly in pregnant women.

On January 1, 2024, Minnesota prohibited PFAS in firefighting foam and food packaging. The state is taking an even more aggressive stance against the chemicals in 2025.

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the first prohibitions of products containing intentionally added PFAS under Amara's Law (Minn. Stat. § 116.943) are now in effect in Minnesota, meaning you can no longer legally purchase these items.

If you're wondering if you already have products with intentionally added PFAS, you can take the following steps to be sure:

Check the label - Look for products that are labeled as PFAS-free.
Check for keywords - Look for words like "waterproof," "stain-repellent," or "dirt-repellant" on the tag.
Check for ingredients - Avoid products that contain ingredients with "perfluoro" or "fluoro" in their name.
Use a third-party verification service - Some organizations offer third-party verification of products that claim to be made without PFAS.

As of January 1, 2025, you can no longer purchase products with intentionally added PFAS in Minnesota. These products fall under the 11 categories below.

Gallery Credit: David Drew

Filed Under: child pornography, Crime, sex offender, sexual assault, Stearns County, US Attorney for Minnesota

Categories: State News