VALDOSTA, Ga. – A heinous crime has shaken the community in Valdosta, Georgia, as a couple has pleaded guilty to producing child pornography.
Jayson E. Wright, 35, of Valdosta, pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Louis S. Sands on October 28. Co-defendant Kara Wright, 32, of Valdosta, pleaded guilty before Judge Sands to one count of production of child pornography on June 10.
According to court documents, Jayson and Kara Wright exploited and manipulated children to engage in sexually explicit acts which were filmed or photographed. This disturbing behavior occurred over several years, with Jayson Wright involved in the Valdosta area Boy Scouts of America from August 2015 until August 2020.
“Jayson Wright and his wife committed heinous and unthinkable acts upon innocent children and did so repeatedly over a number of years. We will seek a sentence commensurate with the egregious conduct involved in this case,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary.
The couple now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years up to a maximum sentence of thirty years imprisonment, followed by no less than five years up to a lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine on each count. In addition, both defendants will have to register as a sex offender for life upon release from prison.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 24. Parents and guardians of children whose children may have come into contact with Jayson or Kara Wright are encouraged to contact the following hotlines to share any concerns related to this investigation:
Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line: 866-DHS-2-ICE
Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Investigations Division: (229) 671-2950
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. The case was investigated by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn Semales is prosecuting the case with support from Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Kalim.
Related Federal Cases
- Robert Lee, Producing Child Pornography, Stuart FL, 2023 · Maryland
- Douglas Roseth Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography, Americ… · Georgia
- Christian Baumgarth, Distributing Child Pornography, Georgia 2023 · Georgia
- Thomas Hill, Child Pornography Receipt, Georgia 2023 · Michigan
- Zechariah Hazard, Child Pornography Possession, Georgia 2023 · Georgia
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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