Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Garey A. Buscaino, a 48-year-old former firefighter from Pensacola, Florida, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges involving the production and possession of child pornography over a period of ten years. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated, “Protecting our children from exploitation and the predations of sick individuals like this offender remains one of my office’s highest priorities, and I deeply appreciate the outstanding investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners who helped bring him to justice. My office will continue to relentlessly pursue offenders who victimize our children and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to court documents, the investigation began when the Florida Department of Law Enforcement received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about suspected child pornography in a cloud account linked to an online user in Northwest Florida. Authorities obtained a search warrant for the account and discovered not only internet-sourced child pornography but also videos that appeared to be produced with hidden cameras featuring unsuspecting minor females.
Further investigation led law enforcement to connect the cloud account with Buscaino. Search warrants were executed at his residence and firehouse, where dozens of electronic devices were seized by members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. These devices contained hidden camera footage depicting five minor females undressing in bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as thousands of graphic images and videos downloaded from the internet showing sexual abuse of children, including victims as young as toddlers.
Buscaino is scheduled for sentencing on January 15, 2026 before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II. He faces up to 30 years in prison for each count related to production of child pornography involving minor victims, and up to 20 years for possession charges involving minors under twelve years old.
The case was investigated jointly by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations unit. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006—aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordination among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one among 94 offices serving as principal litigators under direction from the Attorney General; additional details are available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
