Deltona Man Pleads Guilty To Distributing And Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Images And Videos Over The Internet

Orlando, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Troy Mitchell McGowan (25, Deltona) has pleaded guilty to distributing child sexual abuse images and videos over the internet and possession of child sexual abuse images and videos. McGowan faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years, and up to 40 years, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is set for December 6, 2023.

According to the plea agreement, 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.

On March 29, 2023, the FBI executed a search warrant at McGowan’s residence and located a phone that belong to McGowan. A subsequent forensic review of McGowan’s phone revealed at least 769 videos containing child sexual abuse material and at least 66 images containing child sexual abuse material of young children under the age of 12 which included, infants, toddlers, bondage and bestiality.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was 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.