Washougal, Washington resident pleads guilty to producing and uploading video of rape of infant

 Defendant admits filming his rape of two infants

Tacoma – A 27-year-old Washougal, Washington, man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to two federal felonies for making videos of his rape of two infant children, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman.  Steven Rian Price faces a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle on January 3, 2022.  Under the terms of the plea agreement, both the prosecution and defense will recommend a 20-year prison term and lifetime supervised release to follow prison.

According to the plea agreement, Price was residing with his spouse and an infant child in a motel in Washougal.  In summer 2019, Price used his smartphone to videotape the rape of the infant child. Later that year, Price used the online communication platforms Discord and Skype to share videos depicting his rape of the infant.  Also in the summer of 2019, Price filmed himself sexually assaulting a second infant – the child of an acquaintance who had also resided at the motel.  In October 2019, the day after one of the videos was uploaded, Discord alerted law enforcement and Vancouver Police moved quickly to arrest Price.  Prior to this criminal conduct, Child Protective Services (CPS) had terminated the parental rights of Price and his spouse and had four children removed from their care.  CPS was unaware of the birth of the victim in this case.

Production of child pornography is punishable by a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison and up to 30 years in prison.  Judge Settle will determine the appropriate sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case was investigated by the Vancouver Police Department Digital Evidence Cybercrimes Unit.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Angelica Williams.