Melvin Hubert Holmes, Child Pornography Production, Florida 2012

A federal jury in Jacksonville, Florida, has found Melvin Hubert Holmes, 52, of Clay County, guilty of producing and possessing child pornography.

According to testimony and evidence presented during trial, Holmes installed a hidden video spy camera in several areas of a bathroom within his residence between March 10, 2012, and August 19, 2012. On several occasions, Holmes used the camera to capture pornographic videos and images of a minor child.

On August 23, 2012, partially covered holes in a sink vanity and in two walls that had housed the camera were discovered, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office was contacted. During the investigation, several items were seized, including a laptop computer belonging to Holmes.

A forensic analysis of the computer revealed several dozen images and videos depicting child pornography that were produced by Holmes.

Acting U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announced the guilty verdict, stating that Holmes faces not less than 15 years and up to 30 years in prison on the production charge, and up to 10 years in prison on the possession charge.

After the return of the jury verdict, Holmes was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for January 6, 2014.

This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. government to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

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