Executive Summary
- U.S. Air Force Major Steven Dennis Mack was sentenced to five years in federal prison for receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM) following a guilty plea.
- The sentence includes a lifetime of supervised release, $42,500 in restitution, $40,000 in fines, sex offender registration, and a pending Air Force court-martial.
- The investigation began after Mack sent a CSAM image from his email, leading to the discovery of hundreds of related emails and 64 CSAM images on his cellphone and laptop.
Laws and Precedent
- Steven Dennis Mack was sentenced under federal law for receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM), a severe federal offense that typically leads to substantial prison sentences, supervised release, financial penalties, and mandatory sex offender registration. This sentencing, handed down by a U.S. District Judge following a guilty plea, illustrates the federal criminal justice system’s process for prosecuting such crimes, alongside the potential for separate proceedings under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) via an Air Force court-martial.
A U.S. Air Force Major from Tampa, Steven Dennis Mack, 40, was sentenced to five years in federal prison on Thursday, August 28, 2025, for receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM). U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday handed down the sentence, which also includes a lifetime of supervised release, following Mack’s guilty plea on March 6, 2025.
Sentencing Details and Further Actions
In addition to the prison term and supervised release, Mack was ordered to pay $42,500 in restitution and $40,000 in fines. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. An Air Force court-martial related to these charges is reportedly still pending.
Investigation Uncovers Extensive Evidence
According to court documents, the investigation began when Mack, while in another state, sent an image of CSAM from his personal email address to an individual whose email address geo-located to the Philippines. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Mack’s email account, which revealed hundreds of emails exchanged with the Philippines user. These communications frequently discussed engaging in sexual activities with minors.
Investigators subsequently executed a search warrant at Mack’s Tampa residence, where they seized a cellphone and a laptop computer. A forensic examination of the laptop showed that Mack had searched terms consistent with CSAM and accessed pornographic content. The search of his cellphone further revealed that it contained 64 images of child sexual abuse material, with most of these images having been viewed in Tampa during June and December 2023.
Agencies Involved in the Case
The case was a collaborative effort, investigated by the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 340, based at MacDill Air Force Base, and the Tampa Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts was responsible for the prosecution of the case.
The sentencing of Major Mack underscores the severe legal consequences for individuals involved in the possession and exchange of child sexual abuse material. This outcome reflects the ongoing commitment of federal authorities and military justice systems to combat such crimes and protect vulnerable populations.
