Robert Clark, a 45-year-old resident of Ohio, was charged on Mar. 31 in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia with distribution of child pornography, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address online exploitation and abuse of children. Federal authorities say these types of cases are pursued aggressively to protect minors from harm.
According to court documents, Clark began communicating with another user on a fetish website starting Feb. 2, 2026. During these conversations, Clark allegedly stated he had a sexual interest in children and asked the other user—who claimed to have a young daughter—to record himself sexually abusing his daughter. Authorities allege that during these communications, Clark distributed eleven videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including one involving a toddler. After sending one video, Clark reportedly told the other user: “U should try that with ur daughter.”
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Kelley.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in February 2006 designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The program brings together federal, state, and local resources to locate and prosecute individuals who exploit children over the Internet as well as identify victims.
Authorities remind that charges in a complaint are allegations only; every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.