A Lexington man was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison last week after pleading guilty to multiple counts of possession and distribution of child pornography. He is to serve a total of 11 years.
Hayden Matthew Camden, 21, was arrested by the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office’s SWAT team and investigations unit in April 2025 following an investigation stemming from a tip the department received from the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce on Jan. 21, 2025.
The tip, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office over the weekend, was in regard to a suspect in the Rockbridge County area involved in the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
Investigators were able to identify numerous uploaded files that had been categorized by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Four of files were categorized as confirmed child pornography and an additional 18 were categorized as apparent child pornography. Three of the files were categorized as involving infants or toddlers, two as including bondage, two as including an unclothed child and one categorized as exploitative. The categories, the press release noted, are used to determine the severity of the abuse and prioritize law enforcement efforts.
Camden was charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography and 10 counts of distribution of child pornography when he was arrested, and was indicted on those charges by a Rockbridge County grand jury in September 2025.
Nine of the charges of possession and distribution of child pornography were classified as subsequent offenses, which is a class five felony and carries a penalty of between one and 10 years in prison, while the first offense is a class six felony and carries a maximum penalty of five years.
On Feb. 11, Camden entered guilty pleas to 10 charges: one count of possession of child pornography (first offense), four counts of possession of child pornography (second or subsequent offense), three counts of distribution of child pornography (first offense) and two counts of distribution of child pornography (second or subsequent offense).
He was sentenced to 10 years for each of the two subsequent distribution charges, of which five years were suspended, to be served consecutively. For the first offense possession charge, he received a suspended sentence of five years, and for each of the first offense distribution and subsequent possession charges, he received a sentence of six years, five of which were suspended, and all of which will be served concurrently, but will be served consecutively with the sentences for the subsequent distribution charges, for a total active sentence of 11 years.
Camden will also be required to register on the Virginia Sex Offender Registry.
“These cases represent some of the most serious crimes we investigate,” Sheriff Tony McFaddin said in the press release. “Our investigators, working alongside our ICAC partners, remain committed to identifying offenders, protecting children, and holding those who exploit minors fully accountable. We will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who prey on children in our community.”
He went on to thank the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, the Albemarle Police Department, the VMI Police Department and the Lexington/ Rockbridge Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance with the investigation.
