COVENTRY MAN CHASE HELTZEL SENTENCED FOR ONLINE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PLOTS IN KENILWORTH
In November 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Chase Heltzel, a man residing in Coventry, who was convicted of attempting to facilitate the sexual abuse of a young girl through online communications.The investigation revealed that Heltzel, who was then living in School Lane, Kenilworth, engaged in illicit internet chats with individuals who shared his disturbing interests.
According to court proceedings at Warwick Crown Court, Heltzel, aged 29 at the time, admitted to multiple serious charges.
These included attempting to arrange or promote the sexual exploitation of a child, as well as making and distributing indecent images of children.
His actions prompted a police raid on October 23 of the previous year, during which authorities seized several electronic devices from his residence, including an Apple MacBook Pro located in the lounge area.
During the search, investigators uncovered a collection of indecent movies and images depicting children, some of which were classified as Category A, indicating the most graphic and severe content.
The seized material also included images and videos categorized as B and C, with some images having been deleted but still recoverable through forensic analysis.
Evidence suggested that Heltzel had shared these illicit images with others online, although the exact nature and categories of all shared content could not be fully determined.
Further examination of his digital footprint revealed that Heltzel had engaged in explicit online conversations with a user known as ‘Ozguy85’.
During these chats, Heltzel expressed disturbing fantasies involving a young girl and her older brother.
When asked if he could be shocked by anything, he responded with a chilling remark about children under 11 years old.
The conversations included references to sexual acts involving the younger sister of Ozguy85, with Heltzel expressing a desire to see such acts occur.
At one point, he responded to a suggestion that he could dictate what to do with the girl by saying, “Amazing.” Judge Andrew Lockhart QC commented on the gravity of the case, noting that the discussions between Heltzel and Ozguy85 were among the most appalling he had encountered.
The judge highlighted that, unlike cases involving online entrapment where no actual child is involved, there was a real possibility that a child was at risk in this scenario.
This concern was reinforced by the exchange of a photograph that appeared to depict a real child, possibly the sister of Ozguy85, who was allegedly to be abused.
Addressing Heltzel directly, Judge Lockhart emphasized the serious consequences of his actions.
He pointed out that Heltzel’s arrest and subsequent detention had led to the loss of his relationship and his impending marriage.
The judge underscored the fact that such behavior has real victims, noting that images found on the internet often circulate widely among individuals with similar proclivities.
The most troubling aspect, according to the judge, was Heltzel’s interest in the sexual abuse of very young children, including a conversation about a girl who was eight years old and being raped by her brother.
The judge expressed a strong belief that the images exchanged could very well have been of actual children, indicating Heltzel’s proclivity towards serious child abuse and exploitation.
