Richard Alan Spivey, also known as “Rick,” age 62 and a resident of Tallahassee, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for distributing and receiving child pornography. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “The threats posed to our children from sexual predators like this defendant demand our constant vigilance to ensure more innocent minors are not victimized and exploited, and fortunately our local and federal law enforcement partners are up to the task of finding these disgusting criminals wherever they lurk online. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute these crimes and seek maximum punishments to keep our kids safe and these offenders locked away in prison.”
According to court records, in July 2024, the Tallahassee Police Department received a Cybertip report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that Spivey had uploaded child pornography on a social media platform while communicating with another user. Further investigation determined that Spivey was already a registered sexual predator due to previous convictions for sex offenses. Law enforcement obtained search warrants for his social media account and cell phone, which led them to evidence of online communications where he both received and distributed videos containing child pornography.
FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley commented: “This case reinforces the FBI’s unwavering commitment to investigate child exploitation crimes and safeguard children from those who seek to exploit them. Through strong collaboration with our state and local law enforcement partners, we are working to ensure there is one less predator targeting the most vulnerable members of our community.”
After serving his prison sentence, Spivey will be subject to lifetime supervised release; any violation of supervision conditions could result in further incarceration.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Tallahassee Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies nationwide. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 such offices across the country serving under direction from the Attorney General. Public court documents can be accessed through the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website, while additional details about this office are available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
