A former teacher and coach from Celina Independent School District has been indicted on federal child exploitation charges in the Eastern District of Texas. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
William Caleb Elliott, 26, faces seven counts of production of child pornography and one count of attempted production of child pornography. The indictment was returned earlier this week.
The case falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to address child sexual exploitation and abuse. According to the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood brings together federal, state, and local resources to find and prosecute individuals who exploit children online and to help rescue victims. More information about the program can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
If convicted, Elliott could receive a sentence ranging from 15 to 30 years in federal prison.
The investigation is being conducted by the Celina Police Department, Collin County District Attorney’s Office, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Calli Bailey is prosecuting the case.
“A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
