Ex Navy Officer Caught in Sting Operation Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography

Christopher Paul Hetherington pleaded guilty to the child pornography charges filed against him. The ex Navy officer allegedly asked for illicit photos from someone he thought was underage who turned out to be an NCIS agent.

In October 2022, Christopher Paul Hetherington, 33, reportedly started communicating with someone he believed was 14 years old. Court documents obtained stated that Hetherington allegedly asked the person to send illicit photos repeatedly. In addition, the ex Navy officer would apparently detail the sexual acts he wanted to perform with the victim.

According to Reese, however, the person Hetherington believed was 14 years old actually turned out to be a Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) agent. The ex Navy officer had made plans to meet the supposed victim in person, but he was arrested at his home last December 22 in a sting operation. Thereafter, Hetherington was transported to Western Tidewater Regional Jail.

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Charges Faced by the Ex Navy Officer

According to Vacchiano, the ex Navy officer was assigned in Norfolk, Virginia when he was arrested last December. At that time, he was a surface warfare officer for the USS Ross. Hetherington was initially charged with enticement of a minor and attempted coercion.

However, on April 7, the ex Navy officer pleaded guilty to the attempted production of child sexual abuse material. Hetherington will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years that could be extended for up to 30 years and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 9.

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