U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
Winter Springs Man Charged With Distribution, Receipt, And Possession Of Child Sexual Abuse Material
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida
Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Mark Sotnick (46, Winter Springs) with distribution, receipt, and possession of child sexual abuse material. If convicted, Sotnick faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 5 years, and up to 20 years, in federal prison for the distribution and receipt charges, and a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment for the possession charge.
According to the indictment, Sotnick received child sexual abuse material on September 12, 2021, distributed child sexual abuse material on August 19, 2022, and possessed child sexual abuse material on January 4, 2024.
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 will be prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel S. Lyons.
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.
Updated February 2, 2024
Topic
Project Safe Childhood
Component