PORTLAND, Ore. — A Portland man has been sentenced to more than four years in federal prison after admitting to possessing more than 1,000 images of child sexual abuse material.
Walter Albert Sebaste, 41, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for possession of child sexual abuse material.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford said crimes involving the exploitation of children remain a top priority for federal prosecutors.
“Crimes against children are a priority for my office. Children are the future of our nation. Their abuse is magnified when it is recorded and accessed by criminals such as Walter Sebaste,” Bradford said. “Today’s sentence is a reflection of the serious harm caused every time a child’s abuse is viewed, and the culmination of the hard work of the FBI and our office to hold abusers accountable.”
According to court documents, FBI agents searched Sebaste’s Portland residence on Sept. 19, 2025, where they seized electronic devices. Investigators discovered that Sebaste possessed more than 1,000 images depicting the sexual abuse of children.
A federal grand jury in Portland indicted Sebaste on Feb. 19, 2025, on one count of possession of child pornography. He later pleaded guilty on April 30, 2026, to possession of child sexual abuse material.
FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson said the sentence demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to protecting children and pursuing those who exploit them.
“Today’s sentence reflects the unwavering commitment of the FBI and our partners to protect children and hold child sex offenders accountable,” Olson said. “Our work is driven by the courage of victims, and we stand with them as they seek justice and healing. We are grateful for the partnership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon in bringing offenders like Walter Sebaste before the court. These crimes cause profound harm, and there is absolutely no place for them in our community.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Rochat.
Federal authorities encourage anyone with information about the physical or online exploitation of children to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide U.S. Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating the sexual exploitation and abuse of children through coordinated federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts.
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