EUGENE, Ore. - A Eugene man has been sentenced to 24 years in federal prison for exploiting minors through social media platforms. Vincent Alan Elder, 32, targeted children in Oregon, New York, and Florida, according to federal court officials.

According to the FBI, Elder used Snapchat and Instagram to communicate with minors from 2022 to 2023. He made online payments and sent gifts to coerce victims into sending explicit images. Elder was arrested in December 2023 after a search revealed incriminating evidence on his devices. He pleaded guilty to producing sexually explicit content involving minors.

"We will continue to seek significant prison sentences for anyone who targets our communities’ children," said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford.

The FBI collaborated with local police depart

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