OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok. (Diya TV) — A 31-year-old Indian national living in the United States has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting multiple children through a social media application, according to court documents.
Sai Kumar Kurremula, a resident of Oklahoma on an immigrant visa, pleaded guilty in court to sexually exploiting three children and sharing child pornography. A judge ordered that when he is released, he will also be under lifetime supervision.
Prosecutors explained that Kurremula presented himself online as a 13 to 15-year-old boy to gain the trust of his victims. He would then employ threats and blackmail, forcing at least 19 young people into obedience, said investigators. In one case, Kurremula threatened to go to a victim’s house and expose explicit pictures to her parents.
In another case, he threatened to harm a victim’s family and threatened another person that he would expose explicit pictures publicly unless they obeyed his instructions. “Statement of the sentence captures the seriousness of the offenses and provides assurance that this predator will never be a threat to children again,” U.S. Attorney Robert Troester stated. “Those who victimize children over the Internet will be severely punished.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which prosecuted the case, called Kurremula’s conduct “disgusting” and the deep harm caused to the victims. Kurremula’s sentencing is one of several efforts by law enforcement to battle online child exploitation. Parents and guardians are urged by authorities to monitor closely the online activity of children and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
