Escalon Man Accused of Heinous Child Exploitation

ESCALON, CA – A San Joaquin County man is facing federal charges after allegedly exploiting a minor to create deeply disturbing content. Timothy McCulley, 35, of Escalon, was arrested today following a two-count indictment accusing him of producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

According to court documents unsealed today, McCulley allegedly engaged in sexually explicit conduct with a minor victim on November 9th and 14th, 2024, with the explicit intent of creating CSAM. U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced the indictment, signaling a swift response to the alleged crimes. The details of the exploitation are currently sealed to protect the victim.

The investigation, spearheaded by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force, involved collaborative efforts from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department and Homeland Security Investigations. These agencies worked tirelessly to uncover the alleged abuse and bring McCulley to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shea J. Kenny is leading the prosecution.

If convicted on both counts, McCulley faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count – a potential sentence of 60 years behind bars and a half-million-dollar financial penalty. However, any final sentence will be determined by the court, considering federal sentencing guidelines and statutory factors. This is a stark reminder of the severity with which these crimes are viewed by the justice system.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to aggressively combat the escalating epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program pools federal, state, and local resources to not only prosecute offenders but also to locate and rescue victims. Details on Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc.

It is crucial to remember that these are merely allegations at this stage. McCulley is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments. If you have information regarding child exploitation, please contact your local authorities or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

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