Texas man gets 21 years for exploiting Minnesota girl online
Michael Salas, 52, of San Antonio, was sentenced in St. Paul to 256 months for producing and attempting to produce child pornography involving an 11-year-old Minnesota girl.[1]
U.S. District Judge Eric C. Tostrud called the conduct "depraved, cruel, and contemptable." FOX 9 Prosecutors said the sentence reflects the seriousness of online child sexual exploitation.[1]
In March 2025, Salas coerced the girl over social media, escalating demands for explicit material after obtaining an initial video.[1] An anonymous tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children triggered an FBI Minneapolis probe that, with New Hope and Plymouth police, traced the account to Salas and led to his arrest.[1]
Officials said the case underscores the ongoing fight against online child sexual exploitation, a problem linked in research to widespread adolescent social media use and rising harms for girls.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Michael Salas, 52, of San Antonio was sentenced in St. Paul to 256 months for producing and attempting to produce child pornography involving an 11-year-old Minnesota girl.
- Salas coerced the child over social media in March 2025, escalating demands for explicit material after obtaining an initial video.
- The investigation began after an anonymous tip to NCMEC; FBI Minneapolis, New Hope PD and Plymouth PD traced the account to Salas and arrested him.
- Judge Eric C. Tostrud condemned the conduct as “depraved, cruel, and contemptable,” and officials say the case underscores the ongoing fight against online child sexual exploitation.
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