Panama City Man Indicted on Child Pornography Charges

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging Robert Leesean Williams (29) with possession and receipt of child pornography.  Counts one and two of the indictment allege that between June 15, 2013, and June 16, 2013, Williams knowingly and intentionally distributed and received images and videos of child pornography.  Count three alleges that between June 15, 2013, and September 12, 2013, Williams knowingly possessed child pornography that involved a prepubescent minor and a minor that had not attained the age of twelve (12).

If convicted of counts one and two of his indictment, Williams faces a minimum mandatory sentence of five (5) years and up to twenty (20) years in prison.  If convicted on count three of this indictment, Williams faces a term of imprisonment of not more than twenty (20) years. Additionally, as to each count, Williams faces the imposition of a fine of up to $250,000, not less than five (5) years and up to a lifetime term of supervised release, and a $100 special monetary assessment. 

The indictment results from an investigation by agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Pensacola Police Department, and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn Risinger.

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.