DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines photographer and business owner has pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a child, as well as possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Iowa.
61-year-old Jeffrey Walter Gray was arrested this past February after authorities uncovered child sexual abuse material from his hard drive.
The U.S. Department of Justice alleged Gray "used minors to produce child sexual abuse material" for approximately 11 years, starting as early as 2005 and continuing until at least 2016.
In November 2023, Des Moines police detectives executed a search warrant at Gray's home, where they seized a hard drive containing "thousands of files" depicting child sexual abuse material and at least 15 minor victims, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Prosecutors also said Gray put hidden cameras in the changing rooms of his photography business, Wicked Imagery, to capture photos and videos of children undressing.
Gray will be sentenced on Jan. 8, 2025. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years for the sexual exploitation, as well as a maximum sentence of 20 years for the possession of child pornography charge.
Anyone who believes they or their minor children may have been victimized by Gray is asked to visit this website or email WickedImagery@fbi.gov.
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