EUGENE, Ore. — A Coos Bay man has been arraigned in federal court on multiple charges related to child sexual abuse material, including possession, distribution, and production of such content. Thomas Owen Barnett, 39, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was ordered detained pending his jury trial, which is scheduled for May 27, 2025.
According to court documents, Barnett is accused of using a minor to produce sexually explicit material between September and December of 2023. The charges also allege that, in September 2024, he used social media platforms such as Kik and Instagram to engage in discussions about child sexual abuse and to advertise the sale of child sexual abuse material. Barnett allegedly posed as a young man or a minor female to solicit explicit content, including images depicting infants.
If convicted, Barnett could face severe penalties, including up to 30 years in federal prison for each count of using a minor to produce explicit content, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years. The distribution of child sexual abuse material carries a potential 20-year sentence, with a minimum of five years. Possession of such material could result in up to 10 years in prison. Additionally, Barnett may face a lifetime of supervised release and fines up to $250,000 per count.
The case highlights the distinction between “child pornography” and the more accurate term “child sexual abuse material,” which is used to emphasize that such content is evidence of abuse. Unlike pornography, which typically involves consenting adults, child sexual abuse material involves victims who are unable to consent, as they are minors.
Experts note that the majority of those who possess and distribute child sexual abuse material often engage in hands-on sexual offenses against minors. These offenders frequently use grooming tactics—manipulative behaviors aimed at gaining a child’s trust and normalizing abusive conduct—to exploit vulnerable victims. Grooming often takes place online, as offenders use the anonymity of the internet to reach minors.
The investigation into Barnett’s activities was carried out by the FBI as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation.
