A West Virginia man, Donald Robert Wilt Edwards, Sr., has been federally indicted on charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Edwards, previously a resident of Baltimore, Maryland, faces three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, three counts of distribution of child sexual abuse material, and one count of possession of child pornography.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Kelly O. Hayes announced the indictment, collaborating with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI's Baltimore Field Office, Baltimore Police Department Commissioner Richard Worley, and Colonel Jack Chambers of the West Virginia State Police.
The indictment states that Edwards, while living in Baltimore on June 13, 2024, coerced a minor male into engaging in sexually explicit activities. Edwards allegedly produced visual depictions of these actions and distributed them using an online account. Additionally, it is claimed that he possessed child sexual abuse material on a digital device.
If found guilty, Edwards faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a potential maximum of 30 years in federal prison for the sexual exploitation charges. The distribution counts carry a mandatory minimum of five years with a maximum of 20 years, while the possession charge could result in up to 20 years. Actual sentences are typically less severe, determined by a federal district court judge considering various guidelines and statutory factors.
It is important to note that an indictment is not a determination of guilt. All individuals charged are assumed innocent until proven otherwise in court.
This case results from Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project coordinates federal, state, and local efforts to apprehend and prosecute offenders, as well as identify and rescue victims. Further information on Project Safe Childhood is available at www.justice.gov/psc.
Kelly O. Hayes recognized the investigative efforts of the FBI, Baltimore Police Department, West Virginia State Police, and the West Virginia Parole and Probation Office. She also acknowledged the contributions of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Reema Sood and Paul E. Budlow in prosecuting this federal case.
For more on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office priorities and community resources, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.