Cobb County man receives 20-year sentence for producing child pornography

ATLANTA – Billy Calhoun has been sentenced for producing child pornography. Calhoun convinced multiple minor girls he met online to send him sexually explicit videos and images by pretending he was a teenage boy.

“Calhoun took advantage of the anonymity the Internet provides to target and victimize young girls,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “While social media can provide a forum for young people to safely connect with family and friends, this case should serve as a reminder to parents that vigilance of their children’s online activity is critical.”

“This sentence ensures Billy Calhoun will not harm children in our community for a long time. We hope his victims will be able to recover from the emotional scars left by his actions,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley. “The FBI will continue to work to ensure justice is served on those who commit these terrible crimes.”

“Our detectives work tirelessly to make sure the most vulnerable are given a voice and those who would do them harm are brought to justice,” said Cobb County Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer.  “We are proud of our working relationship with our local and federal partners to ensure the full weight of the justice system is brought to bear on those who would victimize our communities’ children.”

According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges, and other information presented in court: Calhoun came to the attention of law enforcement in February 2020 after the Cobb County Police Department (“CCPD”) received a call from a local middle school regarding the alleged exploitation of one of its teenage students. CCPD was advised that an older male—later identified as Calhoun—brought lunch to a 14-year-old girl. The girl told school administrators that the older male was her boyfriend’s uncle and explained to them that she had a 16-year-old boyfriend, “Zack,” who she met on Instagram several months earlier. Investigators learned that the girl had never actually met or seen “Zack” but that she had sent him nude photos using a cell phone. They also learned that “Zack” bought her gifts, including a cell phone and two laptops. Several weeks after initially speaking with the 14-year-old girl, CCPD learned that Calhoun had attempted to pick her up at school without her mother’s permission. CCPD subsequently arrested Calhoun on state charges.

During a post-arrest interview with CCPD detectives, Calhoun admitted that he was “Zack” and pretended to be a 16-year-old when he learned the girl was 14 years old. Calhoun also admitted to receiving sexually explicit videos from her. CCPD later executed several search warrants on Calhoun’s cellular phones and residence. As a result, the FBI later identified at least three other minor girls Calhoun met online who sent him sexually explicit videos and/or photos. Investigators also discovered at least hundreds of other images and videos of child pornography.

Billy Calhoun, 32, of Acworth, Georgia, was sentenced by Judge William H. Ray, II to 20 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Calhoun will also have to register as a sex offender. Calhoun pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography on March 17, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cobb County Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex R. Sistla and Katie Terry prosecuted the case.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.