Tampa, Florida – In a disturbing case of child exploitation, U.S. District Judge William Jung has sentenced 46-year-old Christopher Lee Thompson to 60 years in federal prison for producing child sexual abuse material. The court also ordered Thompson to forfeit two cellphones, an external hard drive, a box of DVDs, and a 128GB Micro SD Card, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense.
Thompson entered a guilty plea on March 6, 2024. The sentencing marks the culmination of a lengthy investigation by law enforcement, which began with allegations of sexual battery of a five-year-old child.
According to court documents, law enforcement discovered nearly 20,000 images of child sexual abuse material during a residential search warrant. Furthermore, investigators found evidence that Thompson produced his own child sexual abuse material with several different victims, all 13 years of age or younger.
“While it’s heartbreaking to learn of yet another case of innocence lost because of a sexual predator, it’s reassuring to learn of the continued dedication of special agents and our law enforcement partners in making sure this predator spends a long time in prison for his despicable crime,” said FBI Tampa Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Rodney Crawford.
The case was investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abigail K. King.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
Defendant: Christopher Lee Thompson, Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material
City and State: Tampa, Florida
Exact Date: March 6, 2024
Sentence or Outcome: 60 years in federal prison
Companies or entities involved: None
Project Safe Childhood:
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Related Federal Cases
- Christopher Jaye Boykin, Child Sex Abuse Video Possession, Florida 2023 · Alaska
- James Joseph Weishaar, Child Sex Abuse Material, Florida 2023 · Florida
- James Joseph Weishaar, Child Sex Abuse Material Receipt, Florida 2023 · Alaska
- Shane Christopher Abrams, Child Sex Abuse Chat, Florida 2024 · Alabama
- Roger Lee Caldwell Jr, Child Sex Abuse, Florida 2024 · Arkansas
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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