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Hawthorne man sentenced to 320 months in federal prison for production and distribution of child pornography

Press release from U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Justin Ray Crosby, 25, of Hawthorne, was sentenced to 320 months imprisonment for one count of production of child pornography and 240 months imprisonment for one count of distribution of child pornography, the terms to run concurrent with each other. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Crimes against children are among the most heinous types of offenses and deserving of the most significant sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Those who produce child pornography facilitate the abuse of children and rob them of not only of their innocence but their very childhood. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and vigorously prosecute those who engage in such vile conduct.”

In July 2022, law enforcement officers in Gainesville, Florida began an investigation related to the distribution of an image depicting the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old minor child on an instant messaging app. Investigators determined the child resided in Gainesville, Florida. The child was interviewed, and several social media accounts and electronic devices were obtained and examined, leading to Crosby’s identification. Investigators determined Crosby had met with the child on several occasions, and in one instance he filmed himself engaged in sexual contact with the child. He later distributed the video on an instant messaging application.

Crosby’s prison sentence will be followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution to the victim. Crosby will also be required to register as a sex offender and be subject to all sex offender conditions.

The case was investigated by the Internet Crime Against Children Task Force, Gainesville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Frank Williams prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

  • So. I’m trying to think of a way to compare the severity of the crime, to the sentence.
    The sentence is 26 years and some change.
    The conviction is what it is for the crime committed, and I’m ok with that.
    Why are there not more post and articles about the guys with the guns getting sentences like this guy? I don’t feel sorry for the dude in this article at all neither. Dont hear what I’m not saying.
    I’m trying to figure out why, Possession of a firearm by convicted felon does not carry a 26 year sentence, and why is there no articles being posted about the gun wielding felons when they are getting sentenced?
    I guess my question is, is it the “severity” of the crime that qualifies an article about a guys prison sentence?

    • You see Johnny, a certain demographic of our population commits not only nearly all of the gun crimes in Alachua county, but also throughout the United States. When those people are held accountable for their actions, they complain about things like disproportionate incarceration rates. If white men ever became the majority of gun violators in this country, the democrats would have no problem locking them all up with life sentences for mere possession.

      • I have no idea which country you live in! If a white person-and black person do the same crime with the same criminal history. I can guarantee you that the black guy will get a longer sentence than the white!! This has been proven by studies in the United States and I have personally seen it..Your comment is uneducated!!

    • Possession of a weapon by felon carries 3yrs..so you think a guy walking around with a gun in pants should get a sentence equivalent to a guy making and distributing child porn!! He is raping kids and sending it to a network of sickos! I am glad you’re ok with that sentence!! I wonder how the parents fill!!

  • Excellent, but why do federal courts seem to be on their game so much better than our lousy, scummy local courts? 🧐🤔🥺

    • Because the Federal prosecutors can pick and choose which cases to prosecute. They are so overworked that they only get to prosecute a small portion of the cases presented to them, so they choose the strongest cases

  • This man sexually abused a 12 year old. When he gets out of prison he’ll do it again and it will be the flaws in our justice system that let it happen to another innocent victim.

    He should never get out.

  • As I said, I’m not “on this dude’s side” or nothing like that. I don’t want my comment above to get construed. My question is not about “the crime” itself, its about why is this dude was made a celebrity with his crimes and his prison sentence all plastered out here on AC, and no sentences for gun crimes are posted here on AC.
    That’s my question? Not because he is white neither. That’s got nothing to do with my question. This dude got off easy IMO. If he survives prison.
    Why is gun violence on the forefront of the news, with shootings and so on, but the child rapist gets his prison sentence and mugshot posted here.
    It’s almost Like a moment of fame For him.
    Show the community those people arrested for illegally carrying guns the results of the Judicial System.
    I don’t give a damn about a child rapist, and this dude distributed videos of his acts.
    “This is a public service message from the Judicial System. Please don’t do this to children”.
    Ok…… Got it…. Check! check!
    So, moving forward, where are the post about the gun wielding young men again???

  • Crosby was 23. This is a strict liability crime, I. E. Even if the girl lies and say they’re 18, the man is guilty. This girl was selling sexually explicit pictures of herself that’s how this began. Most girls start puberty by 10. Does this guy need some jail time I would say yes. But how far is too far. 25+ years is excessive for this.
    In Miami, 15 year old girls are using fake id’s to get into nightclubs. They probably look quite mature. If they seduce a man, this is what he’s up against. Yes, this case is worse. But this is not justice penalizing these young men like this. Many other people agree but are afraid to speak up.

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