North Port Man Gets Life In Federal Prison For Using Hidden Cameras To Produce Child Sexual Abuse Material

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Gregory Allen Williamson (59, North Port), a/k/a “Vlad Vlad,” to life in federal prison for enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity, and for the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material. Williamson was found guilty following a jury trial on March 13, 2024.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Williamson isolated and groomed a vulnerable 12-year-old victim, and recent immigrant from Eastern Europe, to engage in sexual activity. Using the alias “Vlad Vlad,” Williamson sent the victim anonymous and graphic sexually explicit emails, including ones containing child sexual abuse material. Williamson later gifted the victim cellphone chargers which, unbeknownst to the victim, contained hidden cameras. Williamson used the chargers to surreptitiously record and produce sexually explicit images of the victim when the victim was naked in the victim’s bedroom. One of the cellphone chargers with a hidden camera is pictured below.

“Life in prison will keep this depraved individual from hurting another child. Our special agents, task force officers, and analysts work these investigations with compassion and dogged determination to ensure the innocent are protected from predators,” said FBI Tampa Acting Special Agent in Charge Rodney Crawford.

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 was 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.