Two defendants in federal custody on child exploitation charges

 Child pornography charges carry substantial penalties

BRUNSWICK, GA:  A Camden County man and woman face substantial penalties after their arrests on federal child exploitation charges.

Michael Williams Kersey, 43, of St. Mary’s, Ga., and Lesley M. Henry, 45, of Kingsland, Ga., are each charged in a federal complaint with Distribution of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Distribution of Child Pornography carries a statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and a period of supervised release following any prison term.

There is no parole in the federal system.

“Our law enforcement partners continue their outstanding work in identifying and intercepting suspected child exploitation activities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “We will continue to relentlessly protect our most vulnerable citizens.”

Both defendants are in custody after initial appearance hearings before U.S. District Court Magistrate Benjamin W. Cheesbro. The cases remain under investigation.

Criminal complaints contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.

The cases are being investigated by the FBI, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service/Kings Bay, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Marys Police Department, and the Kingsland Police Department, and is being prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tania D. Groover.