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Pinellas Park Man Gets Nine Years in Prison for CSAM Possession: What You Need to Know

Man sentenced to 9 years for possessing child sexual abuse material. Will serve supervised release and pay restitution.

byEditorial Staff

September 16, 2025, 4:12 PM

A child's hand raised in a "stop" gesture, with their face blurred in the background

A child raising their hand, a poignant visual symbol of a plea to stop child abuse. By MDL.

Executive Summary

Samuel Rinehart, 58, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for the receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Following his release, Rinehart will serve 20 years of supervised release, register as a sex offender, pay $27,000 in restitution, and forfeit approximately 50 electronic devices and two plastic sex dolls.

Rinehart utilized file-sharing software to download over 600 images and videos of CSAM, including graphic sado-masochistic abuse, with his case prosecuted as part of the nationwide Project Safe Childhood initiative.

Laws and Precedent

Samuel Rinehart was sentenced in federal court for the receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), a serious federal offense prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative. This conviction resulted in a federal prison sentence, followed by mandatory supervised release, required sex offender registration, and restitution, underscoring the severe federal penalties for child exploitation crimes.

A Pinellas Park man, Samuel Rinehart, 58, has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for the receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Following his release, Rinehart will serve 20 years of supervised release, be required to register as a sex offender, and pay $27,000 in restitution for his crimes.

Details of the Sentencing

The court further ordered Rinehart to forfeit approximately 50 electronic devices and two plastic sex dolls linked to the offenses. His sentencing comes after he pleaded guilty to the charges on May 29, 2025.

The Nature of the Offense

According to court documents, Rinehart utilized file-sharing software to download and possess a substantial collection of CSAM. This collection included more than 600 images and videos. The material depicted young children and graphic instances of sado-masochistic abuse towards children.

Investigation and Prosecution

The case was thoroughly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), underscoring the commitment of federal agencies to combating child exploitation. Assistant United States Attorney Abigail K. King prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Project Safe Childhood

Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program focuses on protecting children from online predators, bringing offenders to justice, and raising public awareness about the dangers children face in the digital world.

Rinehart’s conviction and lengthy sentence highlight the ongoing efforts by federal law enforcement to identify, apprehend, and prosecute individuals involved in the receipt and distribution of child sexual abuse material, reinforcing the severe consequences for such crimes.