Texas Woman Sentenced for Child Abuse Conspiracy
Summary
The Department of Justice announced that a Texas woman, Anika Bywater, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for conspiring to sexually abuse a child in Mexico. The case was investigated by the FBI as part of Project Safe Childhood.
What changed
The Department of Justice has announced the sentencing of Anika Bywater, a 29-year-old Texas woman, to 25 years in prison and 20 years of supervised release. Bywater pleaded guilty to conspiring to engage in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places, specifically creating videos of herself and another individual sexually abusing a child in Veracruz, Mexico. Law enforcement became aware of the abuse after videos circulated online.
This enforcement action highlights the DOJ's commitment to prosecuting child exploitation crimes, even when they occur outside the United States. Regulated entities, particularly those with international operations or online presences, should be aware of the severe penalties associated with child sexual abuse and exploitation. While this is an individual criminal case, it underscores the importance of robust internal controls and reporting mechanisms to prevent and detect such activities.
What to do next
- Review internal policies and training related to child exploitation prevention.
- Ensure reporting mechanisms for suspicious activity are robust and accessible.
Penalties
25 years in prison and 20 years of supervised release
Source document (simplified)
News
Press Release
Texas Woman Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Conspiring to Sexually Abuse a Child in Mexico
Monday, March 23, 2026
Share For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs A Texas woman was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison and 20 years of supervised release for conspiring with another person to sexually abuse a child outside the United States.
Anika Bywater, 29, formerly of Gonzalez, Texas, pleaded guilty on Dec. 10, 2025, to conspiracy to engage in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places. According to court documents and information provided at the sentencing hearing, Bywater was living in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, when she and another person created two separate videos of themselves sexually abusing the victim. In the video, the victim attempts to crawl away, but is apprehended by Bywater. Law enforcement officers learned of the conduct when they discovered videos of the abuse circulating on the internet.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes of the District of Maryland; and Assistant Director Heith Janke of the FBI’s Criminal Division made the announcement.
The FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit investigated the case. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s law enforcement attaché office in Mexico City and the Washington Field Office.
Acting Deputy Chief Kyle P. Reynolds of the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Reema Sood of the District of Maryland prosecuted the case.
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 www.justice.gov/psc.
Updated March 23, 2026 Topic Project Safe Childhood Components Criminal Division Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) USAO - Maryland Press Release Number: 26-277
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