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Florida palliative care doctor was indicted after prosecutors say he instructed
minorsonline to produce sexually explicit images of themselves and directed one to hang herself, federal prosecutors said.
One girl he was communicating with was found dead, they alleged.
Stephen Andrew Leedy, 59, was arrested and indicted on three counts of production of child sexual abuse material and two counts of coercing or enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced Monday.
Leedy, who practices in the
Tampa Bay area, sexually exploited and victimized approximately 10 children through online conversations and video chats with the username “maximumuncle#9112,” prosecutors said.
Leedy allegedly directed minors to produce sexually explicit pictures and instructed them to “cut, choke, and hang themselves,” prosecutors said.
In November 2021, one girl was discovered deceased, “having hanged herself in front of her phone in a manner consistent with instructions Leedy had previously provided her,” prosecutors said.
If convicted on all counts, Leedy faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
His lawyers told
Fox 13 that their client plans to plead not guilty.………
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...tive-care-doctor-exploit-minors-b2675347.html