Below is an official statement from the US Lawyer’s Office for the Central Florida District regarding child exploitation cases.
TAMPA, Fla. — US District Judge Stephen D. Maryday has been sentenced to 24 years and four months in federal prison Brett Leechold (35, Clearwater) for seducing minors to engage in sexual activity and the production and possession of child sexual abuse material. Raychold pleaded guilty on January 29, 2025.
According to court documents, Raychold sent text messages and used social media to communicate with about 12 minor women. Raychord provided victims’ money, alcohol and marijuana in exchange for sexually explicit photos and videos of himself. One day, Reichold meets Miner in person and offers to pay her for sex.
“The Brett Lychold’s decision sends a strong message to those engaged in child sexual exploitation and used social media to target victims. “Partners at Clearwater Police Department and the HSI of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of Florida, we vow to continue to protect what is most vulnerable from becoming a lifelong victim.”
The incident was investigated by a Homeland Security Investigation with the support of the Clearwater Police Department. It was indicted by Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts.
The incident was raised as part of the Project Safe Childhood. It was launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing prevalence of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Projects the Child Exploitation and Indecency Section (CEO) of the US Attorney’s Office and Criminal Division, Marshall’s Federal, State and Local Resources for Safe Childhood Marshall to find, arrest, prosecute, identify and rescue individuals who sexually exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
