Timothy McCulley, 35, of Escalon, is facing serious charges after a federal grand jury indictment for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material. In a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office, allegations suggest McCulley used a minor to create such material on two separate occasions in November 2024. The Department of Justice press release details that if convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each production count.
The investigation that led to McCulley's arrest was conducted by the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force's Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and involved the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department and Homeland Security Investigations. Facing a potential sentence imposed by the court, any statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines will heavily influence the outcome. It's reiterated by officials that the charges are merely allegations, stressing that McCulley holds the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shea J. Kenny is tasked with prosecuting the case. Project Safe Childhood, under which this case is brought, represents a concerted effort initiated by the Department of Justice in 2006 aimed at tackling the pervasive issue of child exploitation and abuse. This nationwide initiative pulls together resources from federal, state, and local agencies to prosecute offenders and aid the victims in these tragic scenarios.
