Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
Michael Alan Schumaker, a 57-year-old Port Richey resident, was sentenced Friday to 10 years in federal prison for possessing child sex abuse material (CSAM). U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber handed down the sentence after Schumaker pleaded guilty to the charges on May 16, 2025.
Details of the Investigation
The investigation into Schumaker began in 2021, following a cyber tip received by law enforcement. The tip indicated that a user was uploading images of CSAM to a social media platform.
Authorities identified Schumaker, a registered sexual offender, as the individual involved. A subsequent search of his cellphone revealed more than 25 images and 23 videos of CSAM, which Schumaker admitted to viewing.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the case, which Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry prosecuted.
Project Safe Childhood Initiative
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, a comprehensive nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006. The program aims to combat the escalating issue of child sexual exploitation and abuse across the United States.
Project Safe Childhood, spearheaded by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, pools federal, state, and local resources. Its primary objectives are to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, while also identifying, rescuing, and securing justice for child victims.
Ongoing Efforts
The sentencing of Michael Alan Schumaker underscores the ongoing commitment of federal authorities to prosecute those involved in child sexual exploitation. This case highlights the continuous efforts under Project Safe Childhood to protect children and hold offenders accountable for their actions.
