John David Degelau, a 28-year-old former youth ski coach, has been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release for possession of child pornography. The sentencing was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
Degelau was found to have created child pornography by digitally placing the faces of children he coached onto the bodies of victims depicted in explicit images. Law enforcement discovered more than 18,000 files of child pornography on his devices. Investigators also found that Degelau had taken photos of children at a beach without their knowledge, using concealed positions behind bushes or trees.
“A ski coach who used photos of children he coached to create child pornography is now headed to federal prison,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Today alone, three child predators were sentenced in federal court for absolutely abhorrent conduct. This epidemic of abuse we are seeing in Minnesota is vile, it is devastating, and it must end.”
The investigation revealed that Degelau used Adobe Photoshop to morph photographs of his students’ faces onto sexually explicit images, making it appear as though he was engaging in sex acts with them.
Degelau’s sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Jerry W. Blackwell, who also ordered him to pay a special assessment exceeding $10,000 to support programs for victims of child pornography offenses and restitution to the victims involved.
“John Degelau will spend the next several years behind bars, a sentence that demonstrates the serious consequences for adults who abuse their position of trust,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. “Degelau used his access to children for the most sinister purpose: his own sexual gratification. Children in our community should be safe in every location, including at the beach and on the ski hill, but especially in the company of a trusted adult. The FBI appreciates our partnership with the Duluth Police on this important investigation.”
The case resulted from an investigation led by the FBI and Duluth Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Green.
