MIAMI – In a shocking turn of events, William Michael Spearman, 58, of Madison, Alabama, has been sentenced to life in prison for his involvement with a website dedicated to the advertisement and distribution of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.
According to court documents, Spearman was the lead administrator of the website, which had been operating for many years. The website included a section devoted to the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers, a section devoted to images and videos depicting children being subjected to pain and torture, and a section devoted to avoiding detection by law enforcement, among others.
As the lead administrator, Spearman managed numerous other ‘staff’ members, directed them on how to help run the site, recommended other users for promotion, kept records of child sexual abuse material advertised and distributed over the site, presided over staff meetings, praised and scolded users, and counseled users and other managers about the functions and expectations of the website.
Spearman also advertised and distributed over the website images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.
On June 12, Spearman pleaded guilty to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise.
The following defendants have also been convicted and sentenced in the Southern District of Florida for their involvement with the same website:
- Selwyn David Rosenstein, Boynton Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography, five counts of advertisement of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. Sentenced on Dec. 12, 2022, to 28 years in prison and ordered to pay $80,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
- Gregory Malcolm Good, Silver Springs, Nevada, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography. Sentenced on Aug. 22, 2023, to 25 years and 10 months in prison and ordered to pay $93,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
- Robert Preston Boyles, Clarksville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography. Sentenced on Aug. 15, 2023, to 23 years and four months in prison and ordered to pay $7,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
- Matthew Branden Garrell, Raleigh, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography. Sentenced on Aug. 1, 2023, to 20 years and 10 months in prison and ordered to pay $158,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
- Joseph Addison Martin, Tahuya, Washington, pleaded guilty to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise. Sentencing is scheduled for April 2, 2024, in Ft. Pierce, Florida.
- Joseph Robert Stewart, Milton, Washington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography. Sentencing is scheduled for April 18, 2024, in Ft. Pierce, Florida.
The FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit and Miami Field Office, West Palm Beach Resident Agency investigated the cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Schiller for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Kyle P. Reynolds and William G. Clayman of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) prosecuted this case.
Related Federal Cases
- William Michael Spearman, Operating a Child Exploitation Enterprise, Alabama 2023 · Alabama
- Amgen Pays $71M for Pushing Drugs Off-Label · Oklahoma
- Amgen Inc, Pharmaceutical Misrepresentation, California 2024 · Oklahoma
- William Michael Spearman, Operating a Child Exploitation Enterprise, Alabama 2024 · Idaho
- Jason Lee Robinson, Bank Robbery, Kentucky 2018 · Alabama
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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