Zachary T. Lee Acting United States Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia
Todd Stewart Williams, the former Vice Chairman of the Smyth County School Board, has admitted to using at least six minor male victims to create child pornography. Williams, 54, from Chilhowie, Virginia, confessed to four charges related to persuading and coercing minors into sexually explicit conduct for creating visual depictions across state lines.
Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee remarked, “The Internet has expanded the manner in which young people can be targeted by those looking to exploit them. Importantly, this case demonstrates that even those who are entrusted by our communities to oversee the welfare of our children may harbor intentions to exploit them, and for that reason, we must be ever vigilant and responsive when our young people report abuse. I am thankful to the FBI both in Virginia and elsewhere for their diligence in bringing this case to justice.”
Stanley Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, added, “There is no place in our communities for someone who manipulates and abuses children, especially by someone in a position of influence. In addition to committing numerous reprehensible acts against minors, Williams betrayed the trust of parents in Smyth County where he was elected to oversee the education and well-being of students.”
The illegal activities of Williams came to light in September 2022 when a 15-year-old from Oklahoma reported to the FBI that Williams had requested nude content using the Snapchat handle "todd_w3411." Investigations uncovered that Williams had engaged multiple minors using Snapchat, offering in-app video game purchases in return for nude images and videos.
A detailed investigation revealed Williams sent nearly $1,000 to a 12-year-old victim between August 2022 and January 2024, receiving nude content in return. In January 2023, another victim was paid by Williams to capture images and videos of his stepbrother, who was 10 years old at the time, engaging in sexual acts under Williams' direction.
Williams paid over $3,500 within six months for such content and, in another instance, exchanged over $3,000 for nude images from another teenage boy and his boyfriend, totaling more than $10,000 spent on illicit images from at least six minor males.
At his upcoming sentencing, Williams could face a minimum of fifteen years and up to thirty years in prison. The FBI is leading the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit Pierce prosecuting.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide effort initiated by the Department of Justice in 2006 to curb child exploitation and abuse. The initiative is supported by federal, state, and local resources to apprehend offenders and assist victims. More information can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
