Oklahoma City: Sai Kumar Kurremula, a 31-year-old Indian national residing in Oklahoma, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting multiple children online. Kurremula pleaded guilty to charges of child exploitation and distribution of child pornography. Upon release, he will be under lifetime supervision.
Key Facts
-
Identity and Residency: Kurremula, an Indian national on an immigrant visa, lived in Oklahoma.
-
Modus Operandi: He posed as a 13 to 15-year-old boy on social media to befriend victims.
-
Number of Victims: Investigators identified at least 19 young victims subjected to his threats and blackmail.
Kurremula's sentencing follows his admission to exploiting three children and distributing child pornography. He manipulated victims by pretending to be a teenager on social media, gaining their trust before coercing them into compliance through threats. In one instance, he threatened to visit a victim's home to reveal explicit images to her parents.
U.S. Attorney Robert Troester emphasized the gravity of Kurremula's actions, stating, "The sentence captures the seriousness of the offenses and provides assurance that this predator will never be a threat to children again." The Federal Bureau of Investigation condemned his conduct as "disgusting," highlighting the profound harm inflicted on the victims.
This case underscores the critical need for vigilance in monitoring children's online activities. Authorities urge parents and guardians to be proactive in supervising internet usage and to report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement promptly.
Do You Know? The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children operates a CyberTipline for reporting online child exploitation. In 2024, it received over 21 million reports.
Key Terms
-
Child Exploitation: The act of using a minor for illegal purposes, such as producing child pornography or engaging in sexual activities.
-
Immigrant Visa: A document that allows a foreign national to live and work permanently in the United States.
-
Lifetime Supervision: A court-ordered mandate requiring an individual to be monitored for the remainder of their life after release from prison.
-
CyberTipline: An online mechanism for reporting instances of child sexual exploitation to authorities.