Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Arthur Gabriel Young, 23, of Miramar, Florida, has been indicted on six counts of sexual exploitation of children for producing child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. United States Attorney John P. Heekin for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges on Apr. 9.
Young appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry in Gainesville for his arraignment. His jury trial is set to begin May 27 before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor.
If convicted, Young faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison for the production charges. The receipt and possession charges each carry potential sentences of up to 20 years.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations along with the Gainesville Police Department and Westminster Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is prosecuting the case.
Officials said that an indictment is only an allegation by a grand jury and does not constitute evidence; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies.
