Bradenton woman indicted for production and transportation of child pornography

TAMPA, Fla. — A grand jury returned an indictment charging a Bradenton woman with production and transportation of child pornography. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the New York Police Department.

If convicted, Renee Gregg, 35, of Bradenton, faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison for the production charge. For the transportation charge, she faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years imprisonment.

"The exploitation of children is one of the most heinous crimes we investigate," said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge for HSI Tampa. "We will continue to work across state and international borders to protect our children."

According to the indictment and criminal complaint, in August 2011, Gregg produced an image in which she sexually abused a female toddler. She then sent this image via text messaging to an individual in Queens, New York. Gregg and this individual also discussed having sexual contact with children.

This investigation was conducted under HSI's Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2013, more than 2,000 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI's Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.

HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.