A San Diego-based Navy SEAL who filmed himself molesting a sleeping child has pleaded guilty to a federal sex crime.

Arrested in San Diego by federal marshals in April following a probe by Naval Criminal Investigative Service’s Norfolk field office, SEAL Team One Petty Officer 1st Class Gregory Kyle Seerden pleaded guilty Tuesday morning in Norfolk federal court to one count of producing child pornography, a crime that carries a mandatory minimum 15-year sentence, plus at least five years of supervised release when he exits prison.

He also admitted to violating the 5-year-old girl and hiding a trove of child pornography on his cellphone as part of his plea agreement.

Seerden, 31, of Missouri, is slated to be sentenced on the federal charges on Jan. 18 and then faces state and military prosecution as well.

“Petty Officer Seerden remains on an active duty status with the Navy, due to multiple open investigations being run by NCIS into his other alleged criminal misconduct. Once these investigations are complete, the Navy can and will review their findings for potential criminal charges to be heard at a military court martial,” said Naval Special Warfare Group One spokesman Lt. Zachary Keating.

 

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