U.S. Department
of Justice
Brunswick County Man Sentenced to Over 15 Years for Distributing Child Pornography
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Tyler Samuel Godfrey, 33 was simultaneously investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office in 2022 for child sexual exploitation offenses. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received cybertips from social media websites that one of its users was uploading child sexual abuse material. The IP addresses used to upload the illegal material was traced back to Godfrey’s parent’s residence in Cameron and his own residence in Shallotte.
In the investigation, law enforcement learned he had previously been investigated for similar conduct in 2018 and 2021. Search warrants were executed on Godfrey’s social media accounts, his parent’s residence, and his own residence. A forensic analysis of the digital devices and content seized showed since 2013, Godfrey has been communicating with underage children over the internet. Godfrey successfully received child sexual abuse material from a least two children and attempted to get child sexual abuse material from other children who refused to do so. During one attempt in October 2021, he sent a 13-year-old child images and videos of child pornography while encouraging her to view and enjoy the material. During his conversations with the 13-year-old child, he graphically discussed fantasies to rape a 10-year-old child.
While the evidence of his communication showed he targeted pre-teens and teenage children, his collection of child sexual abuse material included images and videos depicting the rape of infants and toddlers.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing by
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:24-CR-32-BO.
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