Plant City Man Headed To Federal Prison After Pleading Guilty To Possession Of Child Porn

TAMPA, FL — U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven has sentenced Michael Conover, 32, of Plant City to 20 years in federal prison for distribution, receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material.

Conover was also ordered to serve a 20-year term of supervised release, register as a sex offender and forfeit an Apple iPhone, which was used in the commission of the offense. Restitution will be determined at a later time.

Conover pleaded guilty on Sept. 1.

According to court documents, federal agents received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a user on a social media platform distributing images and videos of minors engaged in sexual activity. That same user was also the subject of an additional cyber tip regarding the hands-on abuse of a child.

Federal agents executed a search warrant on Conover’s cellphone and social media accounts and discovered that Conover had sent, received and viewed hundreds of images and videos of child sexual abuse, according to court documents.

“This predator traded child sexual abuse material of very young children online and has caused irreparable harm to his victims,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tampa Special Agent in Charge John Condon. “The abhorrent actions of child predators will not go undetected, and thanks to the painstaking, tireless efforts of the HSI special agents, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshal's Service, he will be held accountable for his actions.”