Myrtle Beach Man Convicted of Producing Child Pornography

Contac Persont: Bill Day (803) 929-3000

Florence, South Carolina ----- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Webster Douglas Williams, III, age 55, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Florence, to producing child pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a) and (e).  Additionally, Williams, III entered a guilty plea to travel in interstate commerce to engage in sexual acts with a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C § 2423(b) and to possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C § 2252A.  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Williams   produced child pornography for more than five years by filming his activities with children who were from four to eleven years old at the time. Williams also took children to Florida where he engaged in sexual activities with one of the children. When Williams' house was searched by the Horry County Police Department  in November 2011, more than one million images of child pornography were found in the form of pictures and videos on computers, cd's and elsewhere. Hidden cameras, computers, cd's and other material used by Williams in producing and collecting child pornography were also found and seized.

Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for producing child pornography is imprisonment for 30 years and/or a fine of $250,000, the maximum penalty for travel in interstate commerce to engage in sexual acts with a minor is also imprisonment for 30 years and/or a fine of $250,000, and the maximum penalty for possession of child pornography is imprisonment for 10 years and/or a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Horry County Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney William E Day, II of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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