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Sunday, 16 February, 2025
HomeMedico-LegalUS doctor accused of sexually exploiting 10 children

US doctor accused of sexually exploiting 10 children

A Florida doctor faces life in prison after being accused of sexually exploiting minors online and in video chats, including directing them to harm themselves, according to US federal prosecutors.

Stephen Leedy was indicted on allegations he sexually exploited 10 children, including a teenage girl who was found dead after he directed her to hurt herself, said prosecutors in court documents.

NBC reports that Leedy (59) of St Petersburg, is charged with three counts of production of child sexual abuse material and two counts of coercing or enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity, the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida said this week.

The palliative care doctor exploited 10 minors online using the username “maximumuncle#9112”, and was arrested on 30 December.

He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if he is convicted on all charges.

His attorneys said Leedy denies all wrongdoing and that they plan to enter a not guilty plea.

“He adamantly denies the charges filed against him in federal court. It is particularly important … that we afford him the presumption of innocence,” their statement said.

Through online conversations and video chats, “Leedy instructed the minors to produce sexually explicit images of themselves and directed them to cut, choke, and hang themselves”, federal prosecutors said.

In November 2022, a 13-year-old girl was found dead in a shower, a motion for pretrial detention said.

The girl’s cellphone was propped up on her bathtub directly in front of her, and it showed she had been talking to maximumuncle#9112, who was later determined to be Leedy.

Through a search warrant, law enforcement reviewed Leedy’s account on a social media application not named in the motion, which showed there were several other minor victims.

“Leedy never revealed his true identity on this online social media application,” the motion said. “He hid behind the cloak of anonymity by either lying about his identity or using a black screen while engaging in video calls with the minor victims."

Florida Department of Health records show Leedy’s medical licence expires on 31 January 2026. An “emergency suspension order” was filed on Tuesday, according to the Health Department.

 

NBC News article – Florida doctor accused of sexually exploiting 10 children, including teen found dead (Open access)

 

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