Athens Man Sentenced to 28 Years in Child Exploitation Case

An Athens, Illinois, man has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography.

Christopher Wagy, 28, was sentenced June 9, 2026, following a federal case involving a minor child in another state.

At the sentencing hearing, prosecutors said Wagy purchased multiple cellular phones for the child and directed her to take explicit photos of herself. Prosecutors said Wagy then shared the images on the internet and continued the conduct despite attempted intervention by the victim’s family and law enforcement.

During the hearing, U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless found that Wagy’s clear pattern of behavior showed he presented a risk of reoffending and that the sentence was necessary to protect the public.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Wagy in July 2025. He pleaded guilty to all four counts of the indictment in December 2025.

The statutory penalties for sexual exploitation of a child are 15 to 30 years in prison, a minimum of five years up to a lifetime of supervised release and up to a $250,000 fine. The statutory penalties for possession of child pornography are five to 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years up to a lifetime of supervised release and up to a $250,000 fine.

“A sentence of 28 years ensures that this defendant will not be able to prey upon other young children,” said United States Attorney Gregory M. Gilmore. “While no sentence can undo what has happened to these victims, our Office will continue to seek justice by prosecuting those who take advantage of our most vulnerable population.”

“This defendant went to great lengths to target and manipulate a vulnerable child despite repeated warnings from law enforcement and the victim's family,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge Ryan Preseley. “A 28-year sentence ensures that his defiant and predatory behavior is permanently halted. This case is a powerful example of how the FBI works seamlessly with our partners throughout the United States to protect children, no matter where the predator is located.”

The FBI Springfield Field Office investigated the case along with the Goodyear, Arizona Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office in the District of Maryland. Assistant United States Attorneys Tanner K. Jacobs and Mary Beth Rodgers represented the government in the prosecution.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and brings together federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children through the internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.