Christopher M. Callaway, a 41-year-old from West Farmington, Ohio, has been sentenced to 50 years in federal prison for crimes related to the sexual exploitation of children. U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Gaughan handed down the sentence after Callaway pleaded guilty in March to multiple charges, including six counts of sexually exploiting children and possession of child pornography. Additionally, he was ordered to pay $40,000 under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
Court documents revealed that between 2015 and 2022, Callaway targeted vulnerable girls aged 10 to 17 through social media platforms such as KIK, Snapchat, and Facebook. He engaged with them in online groups where older men communicated with underage girls.
Callaway gained the trust of his victims by expressing love and sending gifts like food, clothing, money, and gift cards. Once trust was established, he manipulated them into sending explicit images or videos of themselves. He also sent sex toys and lingerie for use in producing pornography for online distribution. Moreover, Callaway shared sexually explicit content featuring himself with the victims.
Federal investigators discovered that Callaway produced child sexual abuse material (CSAM) involving over 40 minors; 21 victims were identified during the investigation. His offenses included traveling to Virginia and Florida to assault victims while recording these acts. Some minors were brought back to Ohio to live with him.
During a search warrant at Callaway’s residence, agents seized electronic devices containing over 20,000 images and videos of CSAM.
The FBI Cleveland Division led the investigation alongside the Ohio Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer J. King prosecuted the case for the Northern District of Ohio.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating resources from various government levels to apprehend offenders and rescue victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood visit justice.gov/PSC or report child exploitation via cybertipline.org or call 1-800-843-5678 any time.
