A Redondo Beach man has pleaded guilty to producing thousands of child pornography images and videos of at least 35 children, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
Billy Edward Frederick, 51, pleaded guilty on Monday, Sept. 13, to federal charges of production of child pornography for transportation into the United States and enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, officials said.
He faces up to 15 years to life in prison, according to the Department of Justice.
There were more than 5,000 images or videos that showed child-sex abuse material, officials said. The ages of the children ranged from 6 to 15 years old, court records show.
Frederick stored images and videos of child pornography on his Google accounts, some of which were taken from video calls. He developed a relationship with at least one boy from the Philippines, who he exchanged sex acts online for money, records show.
The boy, estimated to be 11 to 14 years old, chatted online with Frederick from 2018 to 2020, according to court records. There were multiple messages, in which the boy was asked to refer to Frederick as “master,” and video chats, records show.
Frederick’s lawyer did not immediately respond to comment.
Frederick was arrested on June 30 and his sentencing was scheduled for March.