Bonney Lake man sentenced to 25 years for child sex crimes

Weldon Marc Gilbert, 49, of Bonney Lake, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 25 years in prison and lifetime supervised release for sexual exploitation of a minor, production of child pornography, transportation of a minor to engage in sexual activity and obstruction of justice.

U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle sentenced Gilbert to the time recommended by prosecutors.

According to documents filed in the case, Gilbert’s activities first came to light in October 2007, when two brothers reported long-term sexual abuse by Gilbert to the FBI. A court authorized search of Gilbert’s Bonney Lake home revealed a studio with cameras set up and numerous videos showing minor boys being sexually molested by Gilbert. In the plea agreement Gilbert admits that the 31 videos he produced show 17 different victims, some as young as 10 years old. Gilbert pleaded guilty to two counts of transportation of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity related to trips to Canada in 2005, and 2007, during which he produced child pornography. The obstruction of justice charges relate to his actions upon learning he was under police investigation in 2007, and after he was charged federally and was in custody in 2008.