Deltona Man Indicted For Distributing, Receiving, And Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Images And Videos Over The Internet

Orlando, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Troy Mitchell McGowan (25, Deltona) with three counts of distributing child sexual abuse images and videos over the internet, two counts of receiving child sexual abuse images and videos over the internet, and one count possession of child sexual abuse images and videos. If convicted, McGowan faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years, up to 20 years’ imprisonment, for each count of distributing and receiving child sexual abuse images and videos, and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for possessing child sex abuse images and videos.

According to court documents, McGowan used a particular chat application to download images and videos depicting children being sexually abused and distributed them over the internet. McGowan also distributed some of these materials to an undercover FBI agent.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.      

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terry B. Livanos.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.