SIOUX FALLS, SD (Mitchell Now) — A Yankton man will spend the vast majority of his life in federal prison for producing child pornography.
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced on Wednesday that 34-year-old Robert Barbetti will go to prison for 45 years. Barbetti was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2024 and pleaded guilty to two counts of making child pornography on April 6th of this year. He was sentenced by U.S. Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Online tips led to an investigation of Barbetti. It was uncovered that he was using multiple social media platforms, SnapChat being the highest profile, to coerce boys and girls from across the country into videotaping graphic sexual material for him between 2018 and 2023. The release includes lurid details about Barbetti’s targeting of a boy and his brother in Texas and a girl as far away as Virginia.
Parsons spoke after the sentencing, proclaiming, “This Administration has no higher priority than protecting innocent children.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office worked with the Department of Justice Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section on the case. CEOS is a specialized division that handles child pornography cybercrimes, sex trafficking of teens and youth, and other similar crimes.
When Barbetti is released from prison, he will be required to register as a sex offender.