Which Finkbiner would also record

Richard L. Finkbiner, 39, Brazil, stood stoic in front of U.S. District Judge William T. Lawrence as the sentence was read.

"By your horrible acts, you show you have no compassion for your fellow humans, especially children," Lawrence said. "You are the predator that parents are concerned about when their children are using the Internet."

Prior to the sentencing hearing, Finkbiner agreed to plead guilty to charges of child exploitation, extortion and possession of child pornography.

Finkbiner was initially arrested in April 2012 by federal authorities. During the serving of a search warrant of his home, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) discovered thousands of sexually explicit images and videos depicting hundreds of possible victims.

According to prosecutors, Finkbiner used the Internet to prey upon children and teens across the country. The victims ranged in age from 12-17 and lived in Indiana, West Virginia, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio, New York, Michigan, Illinois and Colorado.

Finkbiner was also charged with extorting two additional female victims from Alaska and Minnesota, BOPP tape threatening them with the distribution of sexually suggestive and/or partially nude photos.

According to prosecutors,as well as other video chat websites to locate victims. He then utilized "fake webcam" software to display pornographic videos of adults and of children to his victims, which he claimed to be live feeds from his webcam.

While displaying the videos, Finkbiner induced his victims to engage in sexually explicit or suggestive activity themselves, which he recorded. He then would confront his chat partners with the videos, threatening to publish the videos or send them to people unless the victims became his "cam slaves" and engaged in additional sexually explicit activity, which Finkbiner would also record.

"For nearly two years, this man sat in front of his home computer and orchestrated a scheme that terrorized hundreds of young people across this country," U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett said. "It is our hope that today's sentencing serves not just as a deterrent to criminals, but also a warning to Hoosier families as to the dangers that can lurk on these anonymous chat websites.

"What began in April 2012 with a knock on a Clay County door has come to a conclusion. In essence, (Finkbiner) will spend the rest of his life behind bars."

As part of the agreement, Finkbiner will not appeal the sentence.

Following an explanation of all the charges against Finkbiner, provided by Lawrence, and a 15-minute recess, defense counsel was given the opportunity to speak.

Finkbiner also spoke during the hearing.

"I want to apologize for my actions," he said. "I am very sorry for the pain I caused. I want to thank my family for their support ... I apologize for all the harm I've caused my victims."

Defense counsel argued for a sentence of 30 years, pointing out that there was no physical contact between Finkbiner and his victims.

Even though Finkbiner threatened to post images on the Internet of two of the victims, in addition to sending them to family, friends and others, he never did, according to counsel.

Counsel said Finkbiner grew up as a "loner," but not by choice. They said he had been diagnosed with health problems, but is now receiving medication.

In addition, they argued Finkbiner "lashed" out because he had simply given up, rather than satisfying his "sexual desires."

However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Meyers argued the fact the acts were committed "again and again."

"This was coercive, sexual sadism," Meyers said, "by a dangerous pedophile."

Hogsett's office was arguing for the maximum sentence of 50 years regarding the case.

Meyers then discussed a situation where one of the victims had explained -- through e-mail -- that her life had been ruined by Finkbiner's actions. She said she had already attempted suicide and was going to try it again.

Finkbiner, according to Meyers, responded with "Glad I could help."

"He chose to engage in this conduct," Meyers said. "There is no reason to believe (Finkbiner) will ever change.

"Fifty years is not vengance," Meyers concluded. "Fifty years is justice."

Following Meyer's comments, Lawrence asked defense counsel and Finkbiner to step back up to the podium.

Counsel again argued the acts were more for humiliation rather than sexual gratification.
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