Daniel P. Bubar Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina
A Brunswick County man received a prison sentence of over 15 years for distributing child pornography, as announced by officials today. Tyler Samuel Godfrey, 33, was sentenced to 190 months in prison followed by life supervised release, according to the court decision.
Godfrey was investigated in 2022 by both the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation began after cybertips from social media platforms were received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, indicating that one of its users had been uploading illicit material. The IP addresses involved were traced to Godfrey’s residences in Cameron and Shallotte.
During the investigation, law enforcement discovered that Godfrey had been previously investigated for similar offenses in 2018 and 2021. Search warrants were carried out at Godfrey’s social media accounts and his residences. A forensic analysis revealed communication with underage children dating back to 2013. Godfrey successfully acquired illegal material from at least two minors and attempted to coerce others into providing such materials. In October 2021, he reportedly sent a 13-year-old child explicit imagery, encouraging her to engage with the content. Conversations with the child allegedly included discussions of graphic fantasies.
Evidence presented showed that Godfrey targeted pre-teens and teenagers, with his collection of illegal material also including depictions involving infants and toddlers.
The announcement was made by Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, following the sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The case was investigated by the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Homeland Security. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson prosecuted the case.
Further information and related court documents can be found on the U.S. District Court's website for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:24-CR-32-BO.
