Brooklyn Man Convicted of Child Exploitation and Receipt of Child Pornography
Defendant Directed Victim’s Mother to Molest Her Daughter While He Watched via Webcam

Following a three-day trial, a federal jury in Brooklyn, New York today found Micheal Ledee guilty of conspiracy to sexually exploit a child, sexual exploitation of a child, and receipt of child pornography.

The convictions were announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; and Janice K. Fedarcyk, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office.

The government’s evidence at trial established that the defendant used Yahoo! Instant Messenger to direct the mother of a 9-year-old girl to molest her daughter while he watched the abuse live via a webcam. The government’s evidence included the testimony of two computer forensic experts and a Yahoo! software engineer, as well as the minor victim.

“We are committed to protecting children from online predators,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “Those who sexually exploit children will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.” Ms. Lynch expressed her grateful appreciation to the New York Field Office of the FBI, the agency responsible for leading the government’s investigation.

When sentenced by United States District Judge Nicolas G. Garaufis, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years on the conspiracy to sexually exploit a child and sexual exploitation of a child offenses, and a mandatory minimum of five years’ imprisonment on the child pornography offense.

The government’s case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tiana A. Demas, Hilary Ley Jager, Taryn Merkl, and Tyler Smith.