Eugene man sentenced to 24 years for exploiting minors via social media platforms

EUGENE, Ore. — A Eugene man was sentenced to federal prison Thursday for using social media platforms, including Snapchat and Instagram, to exploit and coerce children in Oregon, New York, and Florida, the U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon reports. Vincent Alan Elder, 32, was sentenced to 288 months in federal prison followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to each of his three victims. According to court documents and statements made in court, Elder used social media to meet and communicate with three identified minors in 2022 and 2023. He sent online payments to encourage a minor victim in Florida to make and send nude photos. To obtain the same from a minor victim in Oregon, he sent vape pens, food delivery orders, and left bags of cash near the victim’s house. When a minor victim in New York tried to cease contact with him, Elder threatened to tell the victim’s mother or even involve that victim’s younger sibling—an act known as sextortion. After learning of the allegations, in November 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed search warrants for Elder’s person, devices, and motel room. On
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