A Pensacola man has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to a child exploitation enterprise, including the distribution and possession of child pornography involving minors under 12. Michael D. Whitacre, Jr., 31, admitted his involvement in an encrypted online group that shared graphic child pornography with more than 70 members during early 2025.
U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin stated, “I deeply appreciate the incredible investigative work by our state and federal law enforcement partners that led to the identification and arrest of this sick individual. It is one of my office’s top priorities to keep our children safe from the predators, like this defendant, who seek to exploit and victimize our most vulnerable members of the community.”
The investigation began after a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted authorities to Whitacre’s activities online. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received the tip, which was then supported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Homeland Security Investigations conducted a forensic analysis on Whitacre’s phone and found substantial evidence of child sexual abuse material as well as proof of his participation in the online exploitation group.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 14, 2026, before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. Whitacre could face up to life in prison.
The case was investigated jointly by several agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006—which coordinates resources at various government levels to address child sexual exploitation crimes committed via the Internet and helps identify victims (www.projectsafechildhood.gov).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one of 94 principal litigation offices under direction from the Attorney General. More information about court documents can be found at U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or through http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
