Ronald William Brown, Child Pornography, Florida 2013

Largo Puppeteer Sentenced to 20 Years for Child Pornography

Tampa, FL – In a shocking case of child exploitation, Ronald William Brown, a 58-year-old church puppeteer from Largo, Florida, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for receiving and possessing child pornography.

U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore handed down the sentence, which also includes a lifetime of supervised release following Brown’s prison term. The court also ordered Brown to forfeit his computer equipment and phone, which were used to commit the offenses.

Brown pleaded guilty to five counts of receiving child pornography and three counts of possessing child pornography on March 25, 2013. The investigation revealed that Brown had been communicating and exchanging child pornography materials with other individuals using online chat programs.

According to court documents, the investigation began with the arrest of Michael Arnett in Roeland Park, Kansas, on May 23, 2012. A forensic examination of Arnett’s computers revealed that he had been discussing the kidnapping, torture, and murder of children with Brown and others.

On July 19, 2012, law enforcement agents conducted a search of Brown’s residence in Largo, Florida, and seized multiple pieces of electronic media, including computers, CDs, DVDs, and cameras. A forensic review of Brown’s electronic media showed that he possessed hundreds of images of child pornography and child erotica.

“Brown lived a double life,” said Shane Folden, deputy special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Tampa. “Behind closed doors, he had a sick obsession that focused on children. Let this case be an example to other child predators. We will find you, arrest you, and make sure you are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Brown’s sentencing is part of Operation Holitna, an ongoing investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations that originated in Boston. Since the operation began, more than 160 children have been rescued and over 50 perpetrators arrested worldwide.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda C. Kaiser. It was 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.

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