Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Richard Alan Spivey, also known as “Rick,” has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of distribution and receipt of child pornography. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “I deeply appreciate the incredible work of our law enforcement partners to stop this sexual predator from continuing to victimize and exploit children. My office is committed to aggressively prosecuting these sick individuals to the fullest extent to keep our communities and our children safe.”
According to court documents, the Tallahassee Police Department received a Cybertip report in July 2024 from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The report indicated that Spivey had uploaded child pornography through a social media platform during chat communications with another user. Investigators found that Spivey was already a registered sexual predator due to previous convictions for sex crimes.
Law enforcement executed search warrants on Spivey’s social media account and cell phone. Their investigation uncovered evidence showing he both received and distributed videos containing child pornography during online exchanges.
Given his prior convictions involving sexual abuse or conduct with minors, Spivey faces a prison sentence ranging from fifteen to forty years, followed by lifetime supervision after release.
The case was investigated jointly by the Tallahassee Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen is prosecuting the case.
Spivey’s sentencing is set for February 2, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. The project coordinates federal, state, and local efforts to identify offenders who use technology to exploit children and works toward rescuing victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one of ninety-four offices across the country representing federal interests under direction from the Attorney General. Additional public court documents are available through the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website; further details about this office can be accessed at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
