John Don Bannister, Jr., Production of Child Sex Abuse Material, Florida 2023

Ocala, Florida – In a disturbing case of child exploitation, United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the return of an indictment charging John Don Bannister, Jr., 30, of Clermont, with two counts of production of child sex abuse material.

If convicted, Bannister faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison on each count. Bannister is currently detained pending the resolution of the case.

According to the indictment, on April 26 and May 4, 2023, Bannister employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Mascotte Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

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

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/lake-county-man-indicted-producing-child-sex-abuse-material