PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA - Ralph Herman Fox Jr., 61, of Graceville, Florida, was sentenced yesterday in the U.S. District Court in Panama City to 360 months in prison for production of child pornography. Fox pled guilty on December 4, 2017, which was the first day of his trial. The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
In September 2016, a concerned citizen reported to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office that Fox had been sexually abusing two young girls. A forensic examination of Fox’s cellular telephone revealed multiple video screen shots of Fox sexually assaulting one of the victims. The sexual abuse captured in the screen shots occurred for approximately one year, sometimes in the presence of other children.
U.S. Attorney Canova said, “The bravery of the 11-year old victim in this case exposed a predator, and her courage in coming forward helped protect other children from abuse. The sentence imposed on Fox sends a strong message that those who take advantage of our innocent children will pay a steep price."
“The deviant nature of this crime is beyond comprehension," said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “Together with our partners at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, our greatest hope is that today’s sentencing will play a part in the recovery of his young victims."
The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher J. Thielemann.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
