Thomas Owen Barnett, 40, of Coos Bay, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child. According to court documents, between September and December 2023, Barnett encouraged a minor victim to create and send him CSAM. In September 2024, Barnett distributed CSAM of that minor victim on Kik, an online chat platform, and sought money in exchange. The same month, Barnett posed as the minor victim online and asked a man in a foreign nation to make and send him CSAM depicting the man’s very young child. On February 20, 2025, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a four-count indictment charging Barnett with sexual exploitation of a child, attempted sexual exploitation of a child, as well as possession and distribution of child pornography. Barnett faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a supervised release term of five years to life. He will be sentenced on September 1, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge. Additionally, Barnett has agreed to pay restitution to the victim and forfeit certain property.

WHEN: May 30, 2026 at 11:56 AM
WHERE: Eugene, Oregon
SUSPECT: Thomas Owen Barnett  SEX OFFENDER

posted 20 days ago