Michael Glenn Chope, Child Sex Exploitation, Florida 2020

Orange Park Man Sentenced to 60 Years in Federal Prison for Child Sex Crimes

A devastating crime has shaken the community of Orange Park, Florida, as Michael Glenn Chope, a 57-year-old man, has been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for producing sexually explicit images with a minor. This heinous act was committed on March 13, 2019, when detectives from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office met with Chope in relation to their investigation into a tip received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Chope had pleaded guilty on May 28, 2020, to two counts of production of child exploitation materials. During the investigation, detectives seized several electronic devices from Chope’s home that were later found to contain numerous images produced by Chope. These images depicted Chope’s sexual abuse and molestation of a young child to whom he had access.

According to court documents, Chope confirmed that his email address and telephone number were the same ones identified during the investigation and stated that he was the sole user of his electronics and computers. He also admitted to viewing and possessing child exploitation materials, including on devices in his residence.

Chope became a fugitive after the Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s contact with him and was later arrested on April 3, 2019, in Rowlett, Texas. The case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations, and it was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ashley Washington and Kelly Karase.

This case is another devastating example of the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The Department of Justice launched Project Safe Childhood in May 2006 to combat this issue, and it has been working tirelessly to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children.

“HSI special agents are committed to finding and putting away those who prey on the innocent,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “Working alongside our law enforcement partners, we will do everything we can to protect children by stopping child predators like this and putting them behind bars for the rest of their lives.”

This case is a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for continued efforts to protect our children from predators like Michael Glenn Chope. The community of Orange Park can rest a little easier knowing that Chope will spend the next 60 years behind bars, but the pain and trauma inflicted on the victim and their family will never truly fade.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Sex Crimes

Nicolas Brown, Child Pornography Production, Connecticut 2024

Apr 23, 2024

Sex Crimes

Charles Benoit, Possessing Child Pornography, Massachusetts 2017

Nov 14, 2016

Sex Crimes

Matthew Cruz, Possession of Child Pornography, New York 2014

Apr 13, 2015

Sex Crimes

Calvin Spotted Tail, Failure to Register as Sex Offender, South Dakota 2020

Oct 25, 2020