The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that Robert Clonts, a sex offender from Borrego Springs, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison today after entering a guilty plea to possessing material related to child sexual assault. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), a client uploaded around 147 pictures of the content after receiving an alert from an online service provider on May 25, 2023.
Clonts was identified by the FBI as the uploader of the explicit content. Clonts admitted to using a cell phone and other media devices to access and watch child pornography in December 2023 after the FBI revealed his conduct. Clonts also confirmed that his phone number and email address were used on the account that made the uploads, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Clonts acknowledged having sexually obscene photos of children when he entered a guilty plea on August 13, 2024. A 1990 conviction for lewd and lascivious activities with a minor under the age of 14 forced him to register as a sex offender, bringing his criminal background into the public eye. “This defendant’s actions are a grave violation of both the law and human decency,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath, who also pledged that “those who put children in jeopardy will face the full force of justice.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office statement served as the source for these remarks.
The court’s sentence is intended to emphasize the government’s position on the matter. “This sentence should send a clear message that individuals who think they can get away with sexually exploiting children will be vehemently sought by law enforcement and ultimately brought to justice,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice. The FBI has stated that it and its law enforcement partners will continue to protect all Americans, with a special emphasis on the most vulnerable—children.
This case is under case number 24CR0048-H and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Sherwood. Clonts could have faced up to 20 years in jail, a $250,000 fine, and life in supervised release due to the seriousness of his offense. However, according to court documents, Clonts will serve a minimum of 10 years in prison and must register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act after being released. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the matter was resolved as a result of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s thorough investigation.
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