Bronx Man David Keith Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Production

David Keith, a 39-year-old man from the Bronx, pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court to five counts tied to the sexual exploitation of minors and the production of child pornography. Appearing before U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan, Keith admitted to luring underage girls under false pretenses, sexually abusing them, and recording the assaults—crimes that have shocked local and federal investigators alike.

On October 13, 2013, Keith approached three girls, ages 12 to 14, on a Bronx street, identifying himself as part of the entertainment industry and offering modeling opportunities. He convinced one girl to enter his vehicle, where he forcibly engaged in sexual conduct with her and recorded the entire act. He threatened the victim, warning her not to speak out and claiming he had been watching her for some time.

Just one day earlier, on October 12, 2013, Keith lured an 8- to 9-year-old girl into his car under deceptive pretenses. Once inside, he manipulated her into removing clothing and recorded video footage of her exposed genitals. Federal prosecutors say the acts were deliberate, predatory, and part of a broader pattern of child exploitation.

Investigators also uncovered that Keith spent at least two years downloading and possessing child pornography. Digital forensics tied him to numerous illicit images and videos, further deepening the scope of his criminal conduct. Despite claiming to federal agents that he had an alibi for the October 12 and 13 incidents, those statements were proven false, leading to an additional charge of making false statements involving child sexual abuse.

Keith, also known as David Wright, David Lee Keith, David Lee, and Lee David, was arrested on November 17, 2015, in the Bronx and has remained in federal custody since. He now faces a maximum of 50 years in prison on each count of sexual exploitation of a child, 40 years for receipt of child pornography, 20 years for possession, and up to eight years for making false statements. Sentencing is scheduled for March 10, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Nathan.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated, “Through lies and trickery, David Keith lured a minor girl into his vehicle and then sexually abused her, videotaping his sick assault and exploitation. Protecting children from predators like Keith remains a critical priority for law enforcement, and we hope the victims here will take some measure of comfort in knowing that Keith has admitted to and been convicted of his abominable crimes.” The investigation was led by the FBI, with support from the NYPD Special Victims Unit and the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Podolsky and Stephen Ritchin are prosecuting the case.