A Valdosta, Georgia man has been given a hefty sentence for the production of child sexual abuse material and for attacking a federal officer. Laronce Howell, 46, was sentenced to 33 years in prison, which includes the statutory maximum of 30 years for the child pornography charge and an additional three years for assault, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office release.
In a case that the U.S. Attorney's Office sees as reinforcing their stance against repeat offenders, Howell has been ordered to serve the sentences consecutively. Howell was handed this sentence by U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands on Wednesday. Beyond his prison term, Howell will also have to register as a sex offender and will be subjected to 15 years of supervised release. The Department of Justice highlighted there is no possibility of parole under the federal system.
Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker underscored the significance of bringing Howell's case to federal court, saying, "Recidivist violent offenders like Laronce Howell, who was only on parole from state prison for one month when he filmed a minor being sexually abused, will see their cases in federal court. In the pursuit of justice, we will maximize the use of our federal resources against those producing child sexual abuse material," in the same release. Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan also expressed relief, stating "These cases are heartbreaking, and we remain committed to working together to ensure these victims receive the justice they deserve." Howell's conviction is a result of coordinated efforts between the Valdosta Police Department and Project Safe Childhood, a DOJ initiative aimed at fighting child exploitation.
The case against Howell unfolded after he used his phone to film and then send footage of a 13-year-old minor in sexually explicit conduct with two men on October 1, 2020. Howell's criminal record is extensive, with past convictions including drug-related offenses, family violence battery, and robbery. He further complicated his record while in federal custody by assaulting a federal officer on November 20, 2024. Details provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office explained that Howell struck a jailer in the face twice upon the jailer opening his cell door. The Valdosta Police Department and United States Marshals Service conducted thorough investigations to prepare the case for prosecution.
Project Safe Childhood continues to play a critical role by combining federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children and help in rescuing victims. More information on this initiative can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
