TAMPA, FL – In a shocking case of child exploitation, Daniel Weatherly, a 42-year-old resident of Brownwood, Texas, has pleaded guilty to possession of an obscene visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
According to the plea agreement, Weatherly used an application on his cellphone to create and possess synthetic images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This disturbing crime has left authorities and the community reeling.
Weatherly faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. He has also agreed to forfeit an iPhone 12 Pro Max, which is traceable to proceeds of the offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the North Port Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erin Claire Favorit and Abigail K. King.
This is another case 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 the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of online safety and the need for vigilance in protecting our children from predators. As we continue to navigate the complexities of the digital age, it is essential that we remain committed to combating child exploitation and abuse in all its forms.
With the guilty plea, Weatherly has taken a significant step towards accountability for his heinous crimes. As the community begins to heal, it is crucial that we remain focused on preventing such crimes from occurring in the future.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Related Federal Cases
- Benjamin Crawford, Child Sex Abuse Material Distribution, Florida 2023 · Alabama
- Michael Alan Schumaker, Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material, Florida 2025 · Texas
- Jack R. Dove III, Receiving and Possessing Child Sex Abuse Videos, Florida 2021 · Texas
- Xzavier Scholtens, Child Sex Abuse Material, Florida 2021 · Texas
- Richard Daniel Lord, Receiving Child Pornography, Florida 2023 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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