Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
Chad Ryan Puffinbarger, a 39-year-old resident of Panama City, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court on November 14, 2025, to one count of receipt of child pornography. The plea follows an investigation that uncovered over 3,000 images of child sexual abuse on his electronic devices. Puffinbarger now faces a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison, along with lifetime supervision upon his release.
Investigation Details
The investigation into Puffinbarger began in 2021 when law enforcement suspected he was using a peer-to-peer network to download child pornography from the internet. Authorities subsequently obtained a search warrant for his Panama City residence, where Puffinbarger admitted to viewing child pornography.
A forensic examination of his electronic devices confirmed the allegations, revealing a substantial collection of illicit material. Investigators located more than 3,000 images depicting minors being sexually abused by adults, solidifying the charges against him.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin of the Northern District of Florida announced the guilty plea, emphasizing the commitment to protecting children from sexual exploitation. He stated that his office would continue to aggressively prosecute offenders to hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Puffinbarger’s sentencing is scheduled for December 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee. United States District Judge Mark E. Walker will preside over the sentencing.
Collaborative Law Enforcement Efforts
This case was the result of a joint investigation involving multiple agencies. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) spearheaded the effort. They received crucial assistance from the Office of the State Attorney for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit.
Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer is prosecuting the case, bringing together the evidence and testimony to secure Puffinbarger’s guilty plea.
Project Safe Childhood Initiative
The prosecution of Chad Ryan Puffinbarger is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006. This program aims to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse by marshaling federal, state, and local resources.
Project Safe Childhood focuses on locating, apprehending, and prosecuting individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as identifying and rescuing victims of such crimes. This case underscores the ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable populations from online dangers.
