ROANOKE, VA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Virginia, Western), published as received.
ROANOKE, Va. – A Blacksburg, Virginia man, who used peer-to-peer filesharing software to download more than 30,000 images and videos of child exploitation material, was sentenced yesterday to 50 months in federal prison.
Rafael Bedia, 39, pled guilty in January 2026 to one count of possessing material involving the sexual exploitation of minors.
“This office will continue to target those who produce or possess child exploitation materials. The sentence imposed in this case should send a clear message that those who abuse and exploit children in the Western District of Virginia will be investigated and prosecuted for their crimes. I commend the FBI for their outstanding assistance in this case,” First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today.
“FBI Richmond is determined to continue to seek justice for victims of child exploitation. Today's hearing is the culmination of years of relentless work and dedication by our agents and analysts,” Ian Kaufmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division said following yesterday’s hearing. “This sentencing shows how the collective efforts of our investigators, the strength of the evidence, and the power of the law can partner to ensure predators like Bedia will never target another innocent child.”
According to court documents, on July 13, 2021, Bedia used peer-to-peer filesharing software to download a nearly 45-minute-long video depicting a minor victim. Several months later, in February 2022, Bedia downloaded another lengthy video that depicted another young girl engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
On May 11, 2022, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Bedia’s electronic devices. Upon executing the warrant, investigators found an extraordinarily large collection of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors, including over 30,000 images and nearly 1,500 videos.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason M. Scheff and Drew O. Inman prosecuted the case for the United States.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
