Orange County Resident Receives 170-Year Federal Sentence in Child Exploitation Case
When it comes to federal criminal charges related to the production or possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), the penalties are some of the harshest in the entire federal justice system. Often, these cases involve aggressive investigative tactics by federal agencies and mandatory minimum sentences. If you are convicted of production and/or possession of CSAM on the federal level, you could spend decades, if not your entire life, in federal prison. A recent sentencing in the Middle District of Florida shows just how serious these cases can be, and why anyone facing charges or under investigation should get experienced legal counsel right away.
Why Are Production and Possession of CSAM Cases So Serious?
Federal child-exploitation offenses are among the most serious crimes in the U.S., and this is because of several reasons, including;
1. Mandatory Minimum Sentencing
Federal law imposes severe penalties and often mandatory minimum prison sentences. For example, under 18 U.S. Code § 2251, a first charge of production of CSAM carries a mandatory minimum term of 15 years. The minimum for a first offense is 30 years. And if a person has a prior conviction for a certain sex crime, the mandatory minimum increases.
2. Aggressive Prosecution
Federal agencies such as the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have dedicated units with extensive resources and specialized skills in digital forensics to investigate and prosecute these cases.
3. Prosecutors Seek the Harshest Penalties
Often, federal prosecutors push for the maximum sentences to deter future crimes and protect the community. Judges frequently agree, especially in cases involving very young minors or where production, rather than simple possession, is involved.
Real Case Example
A recent case from the Middle District of Florida shows just how seriously federal courts take these offenses. On November 13, 2025, a man, whom for purposes of this article we will refer to as D.O., a resident of Winter Park, was sentenced to 170 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to producing and possessing child sexual abuse material.
According to federal prosecutors, on September 8, 2024, D.O. illegally entered an apartment where three children were sleeping. He touched two of the children and used his phone to create CSAM. After his arrest, investigators discovered more CSAM he had produced in 2022 and 2024 involving other minors. His phone had over 1,000 AI-generated CSAM images and 10 AI-generated videos featuring very young children.
Why Sentences Can Be So Lengthy
Sentencing in a CSAM case can be extraordinarily long, like the one in the above case, for various reasons, including;
- Each victim leads to separate charges
- Each production and possession act getting charged on its own
- Aggravating factors like the number of CSAM images or videos and age of the victims
- Consecutive terms
What To Do if You Are Charged or Under Investigation
If you are facing CSAM-related charges or are under investigation, it doesn’t automatically mean you’re doomed. These cases are complex. You may have several defense options, including;
- Identifying constitutional violations
- Pursuing mitigation strategies
- Arguing entrapment
- Arguing lack of knowledge or intent
Consulting an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately is vital to protect one’s rights and explore all available defenses.
Contact an Orlando Sex Crime Lawyer
If you are facing CSAM-related charges or are under investigation, contact our skilled Orlando sex crime lawyer at Joshi Law Firm, P.A. for legal help.
Source:
justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/orange-county-man-sentenced-170-years-federal-prison-production-and-possession-child
