David Carlton Lee, 59, of Panama City Beach, Florida, has been indicted on one count of transportation of child pornography and two counts related to possession and intent to view child pornography, according to an April 7 announcement by United States Attorney John P. Heekin for the Northern District of Florida.
Lee appeared for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee. A jury trial is scheduled for July 27 at the federal courthouse in Tallahassee before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
If convicted, Lee faces a minimum sentence of five years and up to twenty years in prison on the transportation charge. Each possession charge carries a maximum penalty of twenty years’ imprisonment.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Panama City Beach Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer is prosecuting the case.
Officials noted that an indictment is only an allegation by a grand jury and not evidence of guilt; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordination among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
