Former ride operator at Cleveland children's park indicted for child exploitation

A Cleveland man who formerly worked as a ride operator at Memphis Kiddie Park was indicted for filming numerous images and videos of an underage girl engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Miguel L. Wheeler, 33, was indicted on one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Wheeler produced numerous images of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct between Feb. 13, and July 25, 2018. He also possessed a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 cell phone with images of child pornography on July 25, 2018, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than maximum. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik.  The case was investigated by Special Investigator David Frattare, Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations.

A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.