A man from Washington, Missouri, Todd Kelly, 37, has pleaded guilty to producing child pornography after recording sexual activities with a 14-year-old on his cell phone in the summer months of 2023. The victim's father reported the incident to authorities in August 2023, leading to the investigation and subsequent arrest.
Kelly's guilty plea was entered in a St. Louis court, and he is scheduled for sentencing on July 28. The U.S. Attorney's Office has indicated that it will recommend a 25-year prison sentence for Kelly.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Warren County Sheriff's Department, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, and the FBI. Prosecuting the case is Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Becker.
This case is part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative, launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative utilizes federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims. More information on Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
