United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced the indictment and arrest of Stephen Andrew Leedy, a 59-year-old palliative care doctor from St. Petersburg, Florida. Leedy faces three counts of producing child sexual abuse material and two counts of coercing or enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. If found guilty on all charges, he could face life imprisonment.
The indictment and court documents reveal that Leedy used the username “maximumuncle#9112” to exploit approximately ten minors online. He allegedly instructed them to create sexually explicit images and directed them to harm themselves by cutting, choking, or hanging. In November 2021, one victim was found dead after following instructions reportedly given by Leedy.
An indictment is a formal accusation that a defendant has violated federal criminal law, but it does not establish guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
The case was investigated by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and the FBI's Tampa Office with help from several other agencies including the St. Petersburg Police Department and the FBI's Atlanta Office. The prosecution will be led by Assistant United States Attorneys Abigail K. King and Ilyssa M. Spergel.
This legal action is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through collaboration among federal, state, and local resources.