Vallejo Man Sentenced to Over 24 Years for Sexually Exploiting a Minor

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — John Robert Remlinger, 43, of Vallejo, California, has been sentenced to 24 years and four months in federal prison for sexually exploiting a minor, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California.

Details of the Case

U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins handed down the sentence on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The case began in the summer of 2021 when Remlinger contacted a 13-year-old girl through the smartphone application Wink, posing as a 17-year-old U.S. Department of Justice.

Communication continued on Snapchat, where Remlinger demanded sexually explicit content from the victim. He also conducted a live video call during which the victim was coerced into posing suggestively U.S. Department of Justice.

Plea and Investigation

Remlinger pleaded guilty on June 6, 2025 United Press International. The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Fogg handling the prosecution.

Initial Charges and Arrest

Remlinger was initially indicted by a federal grand jury on July 11, 2024, on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct The Reporter. He was arrested by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs agents and held without bail.

Potential Penalties

The initial charges carried a potential sentence ranging from 15 to 30 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a minor, along with a lifetime of supervised release, restitution, and a $250,000 fine. Possession of visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct carried a potential sentence of 5 to 10 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, plus restitution and a fine The Reporter. The final sentence was determined by Judge Coggins, considering federal sentencing guidelines.