TUCSON, Ariz. – A man who exploited multiple children was sentenced last week in federal court.
Nathan Dean Hinte, 36, of Tucson, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps to 40 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Hinte previously pleaded guilty to two counts of Production of Child Pornography.
“Every child deserves to be protected,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “This 40-year sentence sends a clear message that federal law enforcement in Arizona is committed to pursuing justice for children. I commend Homeland Security Investigations for their outstanding work in uncovering the abuse and for teaming up with federal prosectors to ensure Hinte was held accountable for his heinous crimes.”
“Protecting and rescuing children remains one of Homeland Security Investigations highest priorities and this lengthy sentence demonstrates the seriousness of this reprehensible crime,” said Jason T. Stevens, special agent in charge for HSI Arizona. “Let this case serve as a warning to anyone who seeks to exploit or harm children. HSI will relentlessly pursue those who commit these heinous offenses, regardless of how long it takes to bring them to justice.”
According to the plea agreement, Hinte admitted he used his cell phone in March of 2024 and August of 2024 to create videos and images of the victims, two of whom were under the age of 12, engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Hinte also admitted that he used a computer and the Internet to access and view files depicting Child Sexual Abuse Material. Finally, Hinte further admitted that he distributed at least one image of a victim to another individual using the Internet.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC .
HSI Arizona conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Walters, District of Arizona, Tucson, prosecuted the case.
CASE NUMBER: 24-CR-6718
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-085_Hinte
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Arizona — U.S. Department of Justice press release.