WASHINGTON — A former child psychotherapist who previously worked in the Psychiatry Department at Children’s National Medical Center was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after investigators found more than 300 videos and 23,000 images depicting child sexual abuse on his digital devices.
Victor Renato Blythe, 61, of Washington, D.C., was convicted of distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography following a stipulated trial before U.S. District Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on May 22, 2026.
Blythe was initially charged by federal complaint in 2025. At the time, prosecutors described him as employed as a psychotherapist specializing in work with children and adolescents, with prior employment in the Psychiatry Department at Children’s National Medical Center.
“Victor Blythe spent years hiding behind his credentials as a psychotherapist to gain the trust of vulnerable children, all while secretly collecting and trading the most exploitative images imaginable,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro stated. “He didn’t just collect thousands of images of children being sexually abused; he encouraged others to exploit children. No sentence can undo the harm he caused, but this one ensures he is held accountable. We will continue to pursue anyone who preys on children with every tool we have.”
In addition to the 10-year prison sentence, Friedrich ordered Blythe to serve a lifetime of supervised release, register as a sex offender and pay $71,000 in restitution.
Federal prosecutors had requested a 188-month prison sentence.
Court documents state Blythe began collecting child sexual abuse material in 2000 and traded it with multiple people over several years, including a person later arrested for child sexual abuse.
Prosecutors reported Blythe also discussed grooming children for sexual abuse and communicated online with a minor child in a sexual manner.
Investigators found that Blythe repeatedly discussed interactions with children in the D.C. area. In at least one 2023 incident, Blythe met in person with a minor child and offered to conduct therapy sessions with him, according to court documents.
A review of Blythe’s digital devices found more than 300 videos and 23,000 images depicting child sexual abuse, including material involving infants and toddlers.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, with assistance from the Fairfax County Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Bohlen prosecuted the case.
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They might as well and should have gave him life. Now aint no telling what and how bad he did them children. Doctor or No Doctor, He need to rot behind bars for their abuse. Nasty @^#^^×>× !&&@^####