Gregory Allen Williamson, Child Sex Abuse, Florida 2021

Defendant Uses Hidden Cameras to Produce Child Sex Abuse Material

Tampa, Florida – A federal jury has found Gregory Allen Williamson, 58, of North Port, guilty of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, three counts of production of child sexual abuse material, three counts of distribution of child sexual abuse material, and possession of child sexual abuse material.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Williamson isolated and groomed a minor victim, a recent immigrant from Eastern Europe, to engage in sexual activity when she was 12 years old. Using the alias, “Vlad Vlad,” Williamson began to send the victim anonymous, sexually explicit emails, including ones that contained child sexual abuse material.

Williamson later gifted the victim two cell phone chargers that contained hidden cameras and used them to produce sexually explicit images of the victim when she was naked in her bedroom.

“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,” said United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “We will continue to work tirelessly to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Tampa Division−Sarasota Resident Agency and the North Port Police Department, with substantial assistance from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erin Claire Favorit and Lindsey Schmidt.

Williamson faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is not yet set. Williamson was indicted on November 3, 2021.

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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc

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