Lake Wales Man Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography Offenses

TAMPA—United States District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Clinton Duane Pancake (37, Lake Wales) to 97 months in federal for transportation and receipt of child pornography. He was sentenced to 15 years of supervised release, following his release from prison. The court also ordered Pancake to forfeit a laptop computer, which was used in the commission of the offense. Pancake pleaded guilty in October 2012.

According to court documents, in March 2012, Pancake distributed 14 files containing child pornography to an undercover agent via the Internet. In July 2012, Pancake admitted to downloading child pornography over the Internet, viewing it on his computer, and deleting it. A forensic review of his laptop revealed more than 600 files containing child pornography.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie.

It is another case 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 the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “Resources.”