Goose Creek man sentenced to 30 years for creating child sex abuse material

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCBD) – A 41-year-old man was sentenced to federal prison for producing child sex abuse material and grooming a 4-year-old.

Michele Mancino, “Mike Mancino” of Goose Creek, was sentenced to thirty years after pleading guilty in federal court. United States District Judge Richard Gergel ordered Mancino’s sentence to be followed by a lifetime of court-ordered supervision. He also must pay restitution to his victims and an assessment into the Trafficking Victims’ Fund.

The Department of Justice said investigators found evidence of Mancino engaging pedophiles on the apps Scruff and Telegram in late 2022.

Mancino told the other pedophiles how he groomed and sexually abused a 4-year-old. After searching his devices and accounts, authorities found images and videos showing the abuse Mancino mentioned in the online conversations.

Also found was evidence of Mancino trading explicit materials with other pedophiles. The DOJ said Mancino confessed during the investigation to creating and documenting the materials as well as engaging in the trading of child sex abuse material with others.  

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated Mancino’s case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Orville is the prosecutor.

“Protecting children from exploitation is one of HSI’s top investigative priorities, and this sentence is a testament to our commitment to stopping these horrific offenses,” said Cardell T. Morant, special agent in charge of HSI Charlotte that covers North and South Carolina. “HSI, along with its partners, will use every resource available to find, arrest, and hold accountable predators, like Mancino, that seek to victimize our most vulnerable population.”

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, which is a nationwide initiative fighting the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. To learn more about the project, click here.