Attorney General James Uthmeier announces 135-year prison sentence for offender in child abuse material and animal misconduct case

Tallahassee, Florida – In a case that has stirred deep outrage across Florida, Attorney General James Uthmeier this week announced a sweeping 135-year prison sentence for a Volusia County man whose crimes investigators say spanned both digital exploitation and disturbing acts involving a family pet. The sentencing closes a harrowing investigation that began with a cyber tip and ended with one of the longest penalties handed down in a case of this nature.

“The abuse and trauma this predator inflicted is sick, and he deserves every moment of this sentence,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “We will always seek the longest sentence possible for anyone who harms innocent children or defenseless animals. Thanks to Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Emily Frazier and the Holly Hill Police Department, this criminal has been brought to justice and will not be allowed to harm another child or animal again.”

Authorities say the investigation began when the Holly Hill Police Department received a warning from the online platform Discord about suspicious activity traced back to a local user. What officers found quickly widened the scope of the case. According to investigators, the digital trail led to David Robert McKeown, a teacher at UBIC Academy, who was allegedly using the school’s internet connection during daytime hours to send and receive illegal content.

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Detectives later uncovered additional evidence that intensified the gravity of the situation, ultimately prompting McKeown’s arrest. The Office of Statewide Prosecution filed a series of charges, including one count of aggravated possession of child sexual abuse material, 18 additional counts involving child pornography possession, and six counts tied to sexual conduct with an animal.

Prosecutors argued that the breadth of the offenses demanded a forceful response, emphasizing both the vulnerability of the victims and McKeown’s position of trust as an educator. Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Emily Frazier led the state’s case, coordinating closely with Holly Hill investigators to compile the extensive digital evidence.

When the matter reached the sentencing phase, Circuit Judge A. Christian Miller delivered a decisive ruling that echoed the prosecution’s push for the maximum penalty. The judge formally designated McKeown as a sexual offender and also imposed restrictions ensuring he will never be permitted to own or care for animals after his prison term—though with a sentence stretching well over a century, authorities noted that the likelihood of release is extremely remote.

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Officials say the conclusion of the case sends a clear message about the state’s approach to crimes involving children and animals, particularly those facilitated through technology. Law enforcement agencies emphasized that the rapid response to the initial cyber tip played a crucial role in stopping further harm.

The Attorney General’s Office described the sentence as both a measure of accountability and a safeguard for the future, underscoring Florida’s commitment to aggressively pursuing individuals who exploit vulnerable victims in any form.