PHOENIX – A Phoenix man is sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to producing and distributing child pornography announced Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich. 50-year-old Vincent Millard Collins admitted to sexually abusing a child and taking pictures and video of the abuse.
“This is a disgusting and disturbing crime,” said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. “I hope Collins' sentence sends a message to anyone downloading child porn – we will find you and bring you to justice.”
A judge also sentenced Collins to lifetime probation upon his release from prison. In December 2015, Collins pled guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of attempted sexual conduct with a minor. The investigation began in April 2015 when Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) identified “taz_maniac” as an individual sharing child pornography. HSI identified the user as Vincent Collins. Agents searched Collins’ Phoenix home and a found a computer in his room with the username of “TAZ”. After a forensic analysis, thousands of images and videos of child pornography were found on Collins' computer. Collins was also identified in videos and images engaging in sexual acts with a minor.
Assistant Attorney General Joseph Waters prosecuted this case.
For more information, members of the media may contact Mia Garcia, Director of Media Relations at (602) 339-5895 or [email protected].