Federal Jury Convicts Man Using Hidden Cameras To Produce Child Sexual Abuse Material

Tampa, Florida–United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Gregory Allen Williamson a/k/a “Vlad Vlad” (58, North Port) guilty of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, three counts of production of child sexual abuse material, three counts of distribution of child sexual abuse material, and possession of child sexual abuse material. Williamson faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is not yet set. Williamson was indicted on November 3, 2021.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Williamson isolated and groomed a minor victim, a recent immigrant from Eastern Europe, to engage in sexual activity when she was 12 years old. Using the alias, “Vlad Vlad,” Williamson began to send the victim anonymous, sexually explicit emails, including ones that contained child sexual abuse material. Williamson later gifted the victim two cell phone chargers that contained hidden cameras and used them to produce sexually explicit images of the victim when she was naked in her bedroom.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Tampa Division−Sarasota Resident Agency and the North Port Police Department, with substantial assistance from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erin Claire Favorit and Lindsey Schmidt.

This 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.justice.gov/psc.