Michael E. McCay, Sex Crimes Against Children, Illinois 2023

A former airman stationed at Scott Air Force Base has pleaded guilty to federal charges for sexually exploiting minors and distributing images and videos of child sexual abuse material.

Michael E. McCay, 32, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of distribution of child pornography in East St. Louis, Illinois.

Sex crimes against children are a profound betrayal of everything decent because they exploit the innocent, shatter trust, and inflict lasting harm, said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.

According to court documents, law enforcement executed a search warrant on McCay’s residence on Scott Air Force Base related to receipt and distribution of child pornography in February 2023.

Agents reviewed McCay’s cell phone and identified more than 4,000 known images and videos of CSAM and more than 18,000 unidentified images.

Agents also found communications with purported minors on McCay’s cell phone. He admitted to requesting sexually explicit images of the minors, sending threatening messages and distributing the received CSAM.

McCay’s sentencing is scheduled for April 7 at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis. He faces a minimum of 15 years up to 30 years’ imprisonment for sexual exploitation of a minor and a minimum of 5 years up to 20 years for distribution of child pornography.

The U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Burns is prosecuting the case.

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