Michael Stephens Jr.

Investigative work by the Waterloo Police Department proved instrumental in a case that resulted in the sentencing of an area man to a 25 years in federal prison for producing child pornography.

Former Waterloo resident Michael B. Stephens Jr., 43, of Red Bud, was sentenced June 29, in federal court for sexually exploiting a minor on two occasions in November 2016. He entered a guilty plea March 22.

The charges arose from an investigation initiated by the Waterloo Police Department along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that on numerous occasions in 2016, Stephens videotaped himself engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor female at his residence in Waterloo. The evidence also established that Stephens was both physically and verbally abusive to the minor female during this time.

In addition to the 25-year sentence, United States District Judge Michael J. Reagan imposed a 10-year term of supervised release and ordered Stephens to pay a $500 fine.

Stephens will also have to register as a sex offender after he is released from prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak with assistance from Monroe County State’s Attorney Christopher Hitzemann.