A Grapevine child sexual predator was sentenced today to 20 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.

Chansellor Ormon Hill, 26, pled guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children in April following an investigation led by FBI’s Dallas Field Office and the Grapevine Police Department. Mr. Hill was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O'Connor.

“Today’s sentence should put those who seek to commit harm to innocent children on notice,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox. “No matter what dark shadows these pedophile predators hide in, law enforcement will shine a light on them and hold them accountable for their conduct. Our prosecutors and law enforcement partners will not rest until every victim of child sexual exploitation is rescued and defendants like Hill are behind bars.”

“The FBI and our partners at the Grapevine Police Department worked together to pursue a child predator who is accused of continuously abusing and exploiting the victim in this case,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno. “The Grapevine community can rest assured that Mr. Hill is being held accountable for his actions. He will no longer threaten the safety of any child.”

According to a criminal complaint, Mr. Hill entered the family restroom at the City of Grapevine’s recreation center. Inside the restroom, Mr. Hill induced an 11-year old boy to take sexually explicit photos. Using his cell phone, Mr. Hill produced two images of the unclothed minor.

According to court documents, Grapevine Police interviewed Mr. Hill at the recreation center where he admitted to committing sex acts on the child multiple times over a six month period. When asked by law enforcement about the photos of the minor on his cell phone, Mr. Hill responded “I knew it was wrong . . . he’s 12 and I am 25. It’s pretty messed up.”

The FBI's Dallas Field Office and the Grapevine Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney A. Saleem is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department initiative designed to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. The initiative organizes federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

SENTENCING – CONSTANCE MARIE KELLY

On April 6, Constance Marie Kelly, 56, was sentenced via VTC to 46 months for conspiracy to commit wire fraud for her role in a $1.4 million real estate title insurance scheme. Kelly, a former employee of real estate title company American Title, admitted that she and codefendant Leonard James McMorris fraudulently transferred more than $1.4 million from American Title’s escrow accounts into bank accounts belonging to Mr. McMorris. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Jarvis.

GUILTY PLEA – SOLOMON EMAKOJI

On April 6, Solomon Emakoji, 35, pleaded guilty to engaging in monetary transactions in property derived unlawful activity. Emakoji and an associate operated a “romance scheme” to defraud and obtain money by false pretenses. They created fake profiles on popular social media platforms, online games or apps, and dating websites to lure lonely women and men into romantic relationships. The perpetrators then would begin requesting money from the victims. Emakoji received a total of $89,185. As part of the fraud, Emakoji conspired with money agents to receive funds from victims and send it overseas via wire transfer to Nigerian bank accounts. Emakoji faces up to 10 years in federal custody. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson.

SENTENCING – ALBERTO MENDOZA-ESPINOZA

On April 8, Alberto Mendoza-Espinoza, 39, was sentenced via VTC to 20 months for illegal reentry after removal from the United States. In March 2019, Mendoza-Espinoza, a non-U.S. citizen, was found living in the United States illegally. Previously, he had been deported and removed from the United States in April 2013. This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Max.

GUILTY PLEA – CHANSELLOR ORMON HILL

On April 8, Chansellor Ormon Hill, 25, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child. Hill entered the family restroom at the City of Grapevine’s Recreation Center. Inside the restroom, Hill induced a minor child to take sexually explicit photos. Using his  Apple iPhone, Hill produced images of the unclothed minor later found in his possession. Hill faces up to 30 years in federal custody. This case was investigated by the Grapevine Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aisha Saleem.