Caleb Sean Wheeler, Child Exploitation, Alabama 2026

A Hartselle man has been sentenced to a life behind bars for his heinous crimes against children. Caleb Sean Wheeler, 28, was handed down a 1920-month prison term followed by a life term of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Liles C. Burke.

This is the result of Wheeler pleading guilty to four counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count each of transportation and possession of child pornography in January. According to court documents, in June 2025, Wheeler produced three videos and one image of child pornography and transported child pornography.

Wheeler's crimes are a stark reminder of the dangers that children face in today's digital age. The investigation into Wheeler's activities was a collaborative effort between the FBI Birmingham's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and several local law enforcement agencies.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the government in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. This program marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet and to identify and rescue victims.

Wheeler's sentence is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies in protecting the innocent. If you suspect or become aware of possible sexual exploitation of a child, please contact law enforcement. To alert the FBI Birmingham Office, call 205-326-6166. Reports can also be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or online at www.cybertipline.org.

The government's commitment to protecting children from predators like Wheeler is unwavering. The United States Attorney's Office is committed to ensuring that those who perpetrate such heinous crimes face the full weight of the law.

This case serves as a reminder that child exploitation is a heinous crime that demands immediate and vigorous action from law enforcement. The FBI is committed to doing everything in its power to protect innocent children and bring predators to justice.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/morgan-county-man-sentenced-160-years-prison-sexual-exploitation-children