Source: US FBI
HAMMOND – Timothy B. Pressey, 40 years old, of Monticello, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to production of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.
Pressey was sentenced to 300 months in prison followed by 20 years of supervised release. Pressey also agreed to pay restitution to the victims of his offense, the amount of which will be determined in a separate hearing.
According to documents in the case, in October 2024, Pressey took a series of sexually explicit images of a six-year-old child he was babysitting at the time. Using an anonymous identity, Pressey then shared the images in an encrypted group message where hundreds of other users were exchanging and viewing material depicting the violent sexual abuse of children. The FBI quickly identified Pressey as the anonymous user, enabling federal, state, and local law enforcement to obtain and execute a search warrant at Pressey’s residence within a matter of hours. During the search, agents recovered electronic devices that contained thousands of additional images of child sex abuse material.
“Timothy Pressey committed a heinous crime against a child entrusted to his care and supervision and then shared the product of that crime on the internet,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Proctor. “Thanks to the outstanding work of the FBI, our state and local partners, and this Office’s dedicated team of prosecutors and staff, Pressey was swiftly brought to justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to do everything within our power to prosecute those who victimize children.”
“The family of this young victim placed their trust in the defendant to care for their child and he exploited that trust,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy O’Malley. “This sentence reflects the serious nature of the defendant’s conduct and the FBI’s commitment to protect our children and hold predators accountable.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Monticello Police Department, White County Sheriff’s Office, White County Prosecutor’s Office, the Indiana State Police, and the Indiana Department of Child Services. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary D. Heater.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.