Marin Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography

Images Taken of Young Girl Found on Defendant’s iPhone After His Arrest for Exposing Himself to Another Young Girl

SAN FRANCISCO—Jonathan Hill pleaded guilty in federal court in San Francisco today to production of child pornography, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.

In pleading guilty, Hill admitted to persuading a minor to assist him in making a sexually explicit video on March 17, 2010. Hill also admitted to persuading another minor to assist him in making a sexually explicit video five years earlier, on May 25, 2005. Hill, a 30-year-old Novato resident, came to the attention of Marin County Sheriff’s deputies on March 20, 2011, when a young girl reported that he had exposed himself to her near an elementary school. During his arrest, sheriff’s deputies found photos and videos on Hill’s iPhone that depicted him exposing himself to another young girl in a local park, whom deputies later learned was 9 years old. A subsequent search warrant at Hill’s home revealed a large collection of child pornography, including photos and videos that Hill had taken of himself five years earlier, also exposing himself to a young girl. Also found in Hill’s room were a shotgun and a bag containing duct tape, bandages, large zip ties, towels, a lint roller, plastic tarps, condoms, lubricant, disinfectant wipes, and painters’ booties and coveralls, which deputies described as a rape and abduction kit.

Hill was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 6, 2010. He was charged with production of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a), receipt of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(2), and possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B). Under the plea agreement, Hill pled guilty to count one of the indictment, charging production of child pornography.

Hill is currently in custody. His sentencing is scheduled for June 2, 2011, before Judge Jeffrey S. White in San Francisco. The maximum statutory penalty for the count of conviction is 30 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and restitution. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Owen Martikan is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Rosario Calderon. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office.

Further Information:

Case #: CR 10-0261 JSW