Buckeye Reporter

Christopher M. Callaway, a 41-year-old resident of West Farmington, Ohio, has been sentenced to 50 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Gaughan handed down the sentence following Callaway's guilty plea in March to multiple charges related to the sexual exploitation of children. These charges include six counts of sexually exploiting minors, receipt and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and possession of such material. Additionally, Callaway was ordered to pay $40,000 under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.

Court documents reveal that from 2015 to 2022, Callaway groomed victims aged between 10 and 17 years old using social media platforms like KIK, Snapchat, and Facebook. He specifically targeted "daddy-daughter" online groups where older men interacted with underage girls.

Callaway manipulated his victims by expressing love and sending them gifts such as food, clothing, money, and gift cards. Once he gained their trust, he coerced them into sending nude images or videos performing sexual acts. He also sent sex toys and lingerie to the victims for producing pornography that he distributed online. Furthermore, Callaway shared sexually explicit photos and videos of himself with his victims.

Federal investigators discovered that Callaway produced CSAM involving over 40 minors; 21 were identified in this case. The majority of these victims were from outside Ohio, including one from New Zealand. Callaway traveled to Virginia and Florida to commit further offenses against these minors and documented these crimes on video.

During a search warrant execution at Callaway’s residence, authorities seized electronic devices containing more than 20,000 images and videos of CSAM.

The investigation leading up to the indictment was conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division alongside the Ohio Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer J. King prosecuted this case for the Northern District of Ohio as part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through collaboration among federal, state, and local resources.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood or to report child exploitation cases visit justice.gov/PSC or cybertipline.org respectively or call 1-800-843-5678 any time.