Steven Edward Speer, Child Pornography, Florida 2014

Clearwater Man Sentenced to 90 Years for Child Pornography

Tampa, Florida – In a shocking turn of events, Steven Edward Speer (28, Clearwater) was sentenced to 90 years in federal prison for five counts of producing child pornography.

According to court documents, Speer pleaded guilty on June 24, 2014, to the charges. The court also ordered him to forfeit a computer and cell phone that he had used to commit the offenses.

On November 2013, the FBI and other local law enforcement agencies executed a federal search warrant at Speer’s residence based on information that he was trading child pornography. During the search, agents located and seized Speer’s computer and cell phone.

Six videos and more than 1,900 images of child pornography were found on the phone. Many of the images and videos depicted a three-year-old autistic child. Speer confessed to engaging in sex acts with this child, and producing the images and videos of the abuse.

“The message should be crystal clear. One of our highest priorities is to protect our children. Possessing, viewing, and especially producing child pornography are evil acts that infect our society. Today’s sentence demonstrates such acts will not be tolerated. No child should ever be abused,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Wysopal.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Clearwater Police Department, and members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, including the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Largo Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie.

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.

Defendant: Steven Edward Speer

Criminal Charges: Five counts of producing child pornography

City and State: Clearwater, Florida

Exact Date: June 24, 2014 (sentencing)

Sentence or Outcome: 90 years in federal prison

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/clearwater-man-sentenced-ninety-years-production-child-pornography