Woman Pleads Guilty To Production Of Child Pornography

St. Thomas, USVI – Jamhila Hodge, 24, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal district court on St. Thomas to one count of production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Angel Melendez, and Virgin Islands Police Department Commissioner Rodney Querrard.

According to the plea agreement, Hodge used a cell phone to record a seven-minute video of an adult male engaging in sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old female. Hodge was arrested in April 2012 and charged in a five-count indictment with two counts of production of child pornography, two counts of possession of child pornography, and aiding and abetting second-degree aggravated rape. Co-defendant Calieb Webster, 30, was charged with one count of production of child pornography and second-degree aggravated rape. Webster’s trial is scheduled for August 12, 2013.

Hodge also pleaded guilty July 26, 2013 in federal district court on St. Croix to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Webster pleaded guilty on August 5, 2013 in federal district court on St. Croix to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Both Hodge and Webster, who were traveling together, were arrested on St. Croix in February 2012 when they presented themselves for preclearance inspection at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport prior to boarding an American Airlines flight to New York via Miami. According to the plea agreement, approximately 36.32 kilograms of cocaine was found in their luggage.

Hodge faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison on the production of child pornography charge, and 10 years mandatory minimum on the drug charge. Webster faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison on the drug charge. Sentencing for Hodge has been set for October 24 on the child pornography charge, and October 31 on the drug charge. Sentencing for Webster has been set for November 7 on the drug charge.

The arrest of Webster and Hodge for production of child pornography is part of Homeland Security Investigations’ Operation Predator, a nationwide initiative to identify, investigate and arrest those who sexually exploit children. As part of Operation Predator, HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-347-2423. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.

The child pornography case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter. The drug case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry.