Overview
- Theresa Mitchell, 44, pleaded guilty Monday to federal charges including conspiracy and production of child pornography, receipt and possession of child pornography, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
- Court documents say she faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years on the production and conspiracy counts and up to 20 years on the receipt, possession and money‑laundering counts, with restitution and sex‑offender registration required if sentenced.
- Prosecutors say Mitchell and co‑defendant Christopher Buckeridge produced and distributed images and videos of minors through social media, messaging apps and subscription websites, and that Mitchell received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the sales.
- The filings allege Buckeridge supplied hundreds of abusive images and videos, including material showing the sadistic sexual abuse of prepubescent children.
- The investigation was led by HSI, IRS Criminal Investigation and the FBI under Project Safe Childhood, prosecution is being handled by the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, and sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 14.