FRISCO, Texas — A federal judge has sentenced a Frisco man to 20 years in prison for taking a child to a furry convention in Atlanta, where he sexually abused the minor and paid for explicit artwork of the assault.
Joseph Ray Robertson, 37, learned his punishment on July 13, 2026, when U.S. District Judge Richard Schell ordered him to serve 240 months behind bars.
Robertson had previously pleaded guilty to one count of transporting a minor for sexual exploitation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas.
In May 2024, Robertson drove a minor from Frisco to Georgia so they could attend a furry convention together.
Robertson was a member of the furry subculture, which is a community where fans create human-like animal characters with distinct personalities.
According to police reports, he already had an elaborate, custom-made costume created ahead of the trip which he planned to use in bringing his furry persona to life.
Once they were inside the convention, Robertson sexually assaulted the child in ways that amount to child molestation and sodomy under Georgia state law.
He reportedly bought sexual stimulants and sex devices while at the event, and he also commissioned artwork depicting his furry character engaged in sex acts with the child victim.
U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs addressed the case in a strongly worded statement released Tuesday.
“This defendant’s actions were depraved and absolutely justify every day of the imposed 20-year sentence,” Combs said. “Most children’s experiences with people costumed as animals comes in the context of fun encounters in theme parks. This defendant turned a furry costume into a nightmare of sexual abuse. It shocks the conscience that a child was allowed into a convention where adults were dressed up as furry animals and sex devices were being sold. Not one person in that convention contacted the authorities to protect the child. Every child deserves security, dignity, and a community that stands fiercely in their defense. Protecting children is one of our most solemn responsibilities, and we will act ferociously against anyone who threatens their safety.”
In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Schell also imposed lifetime supervised release on him.
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