MINNEAPOLIS — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Minnesota), published as received.

MINNEAPOLIS – Scott Wayne Laney, 47, was sentenced today to 420 months in prison for production of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.

According to court documents, between summer 2023 and lasting until January 2024, Laney sexually abused the minor victim, created images of the sexual abuse, and on several occasions distributed them to others on the internet.  During the time of the abuse, the victim was under 13 years old.

Laney is a previously convicted sex offender.  On August 30, 1999, Laney was convicted in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, for Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First Degree, based on an incident where he digitally penetrated an 11-month-old infant. At the time of the instant offense conduct, Laney was required to register as a sex offender in Minnesota.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted during sentencing that child sex offenders pose an extremely high danger of recidivism. As the Supreme Court explained in McKune v. Lile, “When convicted sex offenders reenter society, they are much more likely than any other type of offender to be rearrested for a new rape or sexual assault.” And Laney, as a “hands-on” offender, is amongst the most dangerous sex offenders who are most likely to reoffend—a reality that his criminal history has already borne out. As the facts of this case reflect, federal courts are experiencing an overabundance of cases involving the sexual abuse—and recording of such sexual abuse—of young children, owing to the ubiquity of smartphones. At sentencing, the government argued that, as these offenses become increasingly easy to commit, the penalties must be severe. The stakes could not be higher.

U.S. District Judge Donavan W. Frank sentenced the defendant to 420 months—35 years—of imprisonment followed by a lifetime of supervised release. In handing down his sentence, Judge Frank noted that this was one of the worst child exploitation cases he had seen in his many years on the bench.

“Laney is a predator in the purest and most dangerous sense.” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.  “The 35-year sentence he received is both a measure of justice and a permanent warning to others.  We will not allow repeat abusers to cycle through our system and leave a trail of trauma behind them.  Minnesota’s children are not expendable.  They are not targets.  And those who abuse them will be met with relentless, unforgiving federal justice.”

“Today represents the final phase in pursuing justice and bringing accountability to Scott Laney for his crimes,” said BCA Superintendent Drew Evans.  “We will continue to doggedly pursue anyone who abuses children, our society’s most precious resource.”

“Scott Laney’s long history of predatory behavior ends today, with a 35-year prison sentence,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. “Laney targeted young victims and disseminated child pornography.  Children in our community must be protected from the abhorrent actions of convicted sex offenders like Laney.  The FBI has zero tolerance for such actions, and we are fully committed to combating child sexual exploitation.  We will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners until every child is safe.” 

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the BCA, with assistance from the FBI and the Meeker County Sherriff’s Office.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office also thanks the Meeker County Attorney’s Office for its assistance in prosecuting this matter.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth Shnider prosecuted the case.