May 7, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

West LA Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges for Using Snapchat to Entice Children into Producing Sexually Explicit Videos

Mark David Wallin faces up to life in prison after January 6 guilty plea

By Sam Catanzaro

A Del Rey man last week pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges for using Snapchat to meet and entice children to produce sexually explicit videos. 

Mark David Wallin, 42, of Los Angeles’ Del Rey neighborhood, pleaded guilty Friday to one of production of child pornography and one count of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. Wallin has been in federal custody since his arrest in this case in July 2022.

According to his plea agreement, from 2019 to August 2021, Wallin used Snapchat to “meet” pre-teen boys and girls – both abroad and in the United States – then develop romantic relationships with them online, with the intent to obtain sexually explicit images and videos from the children. Wallin also persuaded the victims to engage in sexually explicit conduct via video chat, which allowed him to take screenshot images and videos, according to court documents.

After his victims sent him sexually explicit content, Wallin would demand additional sexually explicit photos and videos from them.

“For example, in February and March of 2020, Wallin enticed a victim, who was approximately 9-10 years old at the time, to engage in sexually explicit conduct to be displayed to him via Snapchat, a multimedia instant messaging application,” the Department of Justice said in a press release. “Wallin admitted to knowingly causing at least four additional victims – ranging in age from 12 to 16 years old – to create or participate in the creation of multiple files of sexually explicit material featuring themselves.”

Wallin further admitted to possessing on a smartphone approximately 200 sexually explicit videos featuring children in August 2021.

United States District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong scheduled an April 21 sentencing hearing, at which time Wallin will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

A spokesperson person for Snap – based in Santa Monica – declined to comment on the case but did say on background that the sexual exploitation and abuse of any users is illegal, unacceptable and prohibited by the app’s Community Guidelines. In addition, the spokesperson said that reports of child sexual exploitation and abuse are quickly reviewed by trust and safety teams and evidence of this activity results in immediate account termination, with no chance for reinstatement, and is reported to the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which then coordinates, as appropriate, with domestic and international law enforcement. The spokesperson also noted that Snap uses tools to proactively detect, disrupt and report both images and videos, depicting this illegal content, to the NCMEC.

in Crime, News
Related Posts

Metro to Host May 7 Lunchtime Webinar on D Line Beverly Hills Stations

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

Inside the Beverly Hills D Line Build: Virtual Update Set for Wednesday Metro Los Angeles will hold an informational webinar...

Whistleblower Claims Accuse LAHSA Chief of Misconduct, Data Suppression

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

Inside Safe Data Allegedly Withheld to Protect Mayor’s Image  Los Angeles’ top homeless services official is facing serious allegations of...

Assembly Honors Beverly Hills Councilmember for Holocaust Remembrance and Public Service

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

Beverly Hills Leader Honored for Holocaust Remembrance and Civic Impact Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) has named Beverly Hills Councilmember...

Former Security Guard Charged With Murder in Deadly Spartan College Shooting

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

Inglewood College Tragedy: Gun Violence Leaves One Dead, One Critically Injured Jesse Figueroa, a former security guard, faces multiple felony...

Search Underway for Missing Man Last Seen in West Hollywood

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

Sheriff’s Department Investigating Disappearance of Local Man The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) is asking for the public’s assistance...

New Lawsuit Alleges Excessive Force by CHP, LAPD at UCLA Pro-Palestine Protest in 2024

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

Civil Rights Groups Say Law Enforcement Violated Students’ Rights Civil rights attorneys representing demonstrators at UCLA have filed a federal...

Caltrans Gives an Update on Sepulveda Pass 405 Project

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

Freeway Rehab Project Through the Sepulveda Pass Start Date is TBA Update: Caltrans has not delayed the I-405 project, and...

(Video) Billy Francesca and the Ever-Glamorous Derby Divas Perform at The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood’s Derby Day Party

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

A great time was had by all at The Godfrey Hotel’s Derby Day where the mint juleps flowed all afternoon...

Loyola High School Senior Athlete Killed in Suspected DUI Crash in Manhattan Beach

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

Former Palisades Resident Moved to the South Bay After Losing Home in Fire Braun Levi, a senior at Loyola High...

Actress Jennifer Aniston Home During Gate Crash; Suspect Detained by Security

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

Investigation Underway After Intruder Breaches Star’s Property An unnamed man was arrested Monday after driving his vehicle through the front...

‘A Wonderful Place for the Community’: Urban Jungle Celebrates One Year Anniversary

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

From soil to sanctuary, Urban Jungle, an indoor and tropical plants nursery, is celebrating one year of business this spring....

Los Angeles County Declares Hepatitis A Outbreak as Case Numbers Triple Over Previous Year

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

Health Officials Urge Residents to Get Vaccinated Amid Rising Infections  The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has declared...

Bruce Willis’ Former Beverly Hills Canyon Property Listed for $15 Million

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

Eight-Lot Mulholland Estate Includes a 1950s Ranch Home. 31 Acres A sprawling canyon estate in the Beverly Hills Post Office...

Prices Spike in Brentwood, West Hollywood, and Santa Monica Amid Post-Fire Housing Rush

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

Displaced Families Are Reshaping Los Angeles’ Housing Market on the Westside Home sales and prices across Los Angeles surged in...

Summer at Crossroads: Students Create, Grow and Learn Over the Summer

May 4, 2025

May 4, 2025

A catalog of programs and classes has opened for Summer at Crossroads, an immersive experience for students to continue to...