St. Petersburg Woman Sentenced To 15 Years For Producing Child Sexual Abuse Video

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven today sentenced Emrah Kuc (27, St. Petersburg) to 15 years in federal prison for production, distribution, receipt, and possession of child sexual abuse material, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, and a requirement to register as a sex offender. The court also ordered Kuc to forfeit a MacBook Pro and four iPhones, which were used in the commission of the offense. The court reserved ruling on the issue of restitution. Kuc had pleaded guilty on December 12, 2022. 

According to court documents, after a cyber tip was reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), law enforcement investigated Kuc’s online activities and recovered multiple electronic devices from Kuc’s residence. A search of those devices revealed images and videos of children being sexually abused. Law enforcement discovered that Kuc was receiving and sharing videos and images of child sexual abuse on various social media applications and had also produced a video of child sexual abuse material with a toddler.

“This sentence demonstrates the unwavering dedication and commitment of HSI special agents who are working tirelessly to protect our most vulnerable,” said HSI Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kristopher Pagitt. “Our message is clear. HSI will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office to bring to justice those who prey upon children.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa M. Spergel.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.