Related Federal Cases
- Naomi Ruth Smith, Child Sex Trafficking, M.D. Florida, 2023 · Georgia
- Duval County Public Schools, Employment Discrimination, Florida, 2023 · New York
- Lawrence Destefano, Ghost Gun Ring Operation, Florida, 2023 · Washington
- Charles Adkins, Distributed and Possessed Child Pornography, Waterl… · Florida
- Otto G. Pena, Child Pornography Possession, FL, 2013 · Florida
Port St. Lucie Tattoo Artist Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material
A Port St. Lucie tattoo artist has pleaded guilty to producing child sexual abuse material and other charges. Dustin Singleton, 42, of Hobe Sound, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Aileen M. Cannon to three counts of producing child sexual abuse material, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.
On April 29, 2022, a traffic stop in Stuart, Fla., led to the discovery of a large stash of narcotics and firearms in Singleton’s vehicle. Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) detectives found 32.86 grams of methamphetamine with a purity level of 98%, approximately 5 grams of cocaine, less than a gram of fentanyl, approximately 195 grams of marijuana, several glass pipes, hypodermic needles, a loaded Smith & Wesson, Bodyguard .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a loaded Glock type 9mm pistol built from a Polymer80 PF940C kit, several unused baggies, several pill bottles with various controlled substances, $1,104.00 in U.S. currency, 10 cellphones, and three tablets.
Forensic examinations of Singleton’s electronic devices revealed numerous images of him and Elijah Daniel Shaw, both engaging in sexually explicit activity with a freshly tattooed 13-year-old minor female victim, recorded inside the tattoo shop. On August 2, 2022, law enforcement arrested Shaw, who identified images/videos of himself, Singleton, and the 13-year-old minor female victim and confirmed that the video was recorded inside Singleton’s tattoo parlor.
For each of the three counts of producing child sexual abuse material, Singleton faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and up to 30 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release. In addition, he will be required to register as a sex offender. For the drug distribution charge, Singleton faces up to 20 years in prison, followed by at least 3 years of supervised release. For the firearm charge, Singleton faces up to 10 years in prison, followed by supervised release for up to 3 years.
Elijah Daniel Shaw, who pleaded guilty to producing and possessing child sexual abuse material, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Aileen M. Cannon on June 27, in Fort Pierce. United States Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and acting Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Buckley, HSI, Miami, announced the guilty plea.
HSI Fort Pierce Office investigated the case, with assistance from Martin County Sheriff’s Office, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, and Port St. Lucie Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carmen Lineberger and Michael Porter are prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual abuse material.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
