Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Donovan Arthur Sauleda, a 39-year-old resident of Crawfordville, Florida, has been convicted by a federal jury on charges related to child pornography and the distribution of obscene material. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin emphasized the importance of protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse. "Protecting our children from sexual exploitation and abuse is of paramount importance, and I am proud of the great work by my office to bring this sex offender to justice. My office will aggressively pursue these types of cases to ensure those who victimize our most vulnerable populations are prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law," he stated.
The investigation into Sauleda began in November 2021 when he failed to register his internet accounts as required by law. This led the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office to conduct further investigations which culminated in a search warrant executed in March 2022. During this search, authorities discovered child pornography and child-like sex dolls at Sauleda's residence. It was found that Sauleda had produced videos with these dolls for sale and distribution.
Sauleda's sentencing is set for September 8, 2025, at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Judge Robert L. Hinkle. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years imprisonment with a possibility of up to twenty years.
Following his prison term, Sauleda will continue registering as a sex offender. The case was investigated by several agencies including the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer prosecuted the case.
This conviction is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local resources.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood or public court documents related to this case, individuals can visit relevant online resources provided by government websites.
