Boone County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Pornography Crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Boone County man pleaded guilty today to a federal child pornography crime. 

According to court documents, Gregory Weymes, 58, of Ridgeview, admitted that on February 23, 2021 he possessed child pornography on his cell phone. After receiving a cybertip through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, law enforcement investigators obtained a search warrant for Weymes’ residence. While executing the search warrant, investigators seized the cell phone from Weymes. In an interview, Weymes admitted that he used various social media platforms, including MeWe, to view and trade child pornography and that investigators would find child pornography on his phone. A forensic review of Weymes’ cell phone uncovered numerous videos depicting child pornography on the device.  

Weymes pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography and faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 14, 2021. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Kristin F. Scott is handling the prosecution.

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00080.

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