A Gaithersburg man pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges that he received child pornography and threatened to ruin the reputation of at least eight teenage girls in the photos by sharing them online.
Zhi Tian Lang, 23, communicated with at least eight girls ages 13 to 17 between January 2014 and October 2014, using the alias “Seth” as part of an “Internet messaging application,” according to his plea agreement.
The U.S. attorney’s office said in a press release that Lang got the photos by flirting with the victims and looking at their social media accounts. He would then demand that the victims send him nude pictures, or else he would post the pictures he already had online or send them to acquaintances of the victims.
The victims lived throughout the country, including South Dakota, Wisconsin and New Jersey.
Lang admitted to posting photos of the victims online and sent at least one photo to someone else, the plea agreement says.
Lang was convicted of receipt of child pornography and extortion. He could face between 5 and 20 years in prison when he is sentenced Jan. 8. Lang must register as a sex offender where he lives, works and attends school, and pay a special assessment of $5,000.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and Montgomery County police for assisting in the investigation.
“Zhi Lang used an assumed identity to threaten to ruin the reputation of the girls he communicated with in order to coerce them to send him sexually explicit photos and videos. Criminals often take advantage of anonymous internet messaging services, as Lang did, to perpetrate their crimes. I am grateful to the victims came forward. Their bravery has prevented more children from being abused. Law enforcement agencies will continue to work to identify and prosecute those who harm our children,” Hur said in a statement.
Neither prosecuting attorney Joseph Baldwin nor defense attorney Paul Kemp could be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.
Dan Schere can be reached at Daniel.schere@moco360.media
