Federal jury convicts Lexington man for possession of child sexual abuse material
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LEXINGTON, S.C. (WOLO)– A 46-year-old Lexington man was convicted by a jury after a two day trial, says the DOJ.
According to the DOJ, William Steven Wooten was found guilty on one count of possession of child sexual abuse material.
Evidence introduced at trial showed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was conducting a stolen valor investigation related to Wooten’s possession and use of a fraudulent form DD-214, a military discharge document.
Investigators say Wooten portrayed to be a combat veteran with a purple heart, but in actuality had never served in the military.
Wooten is accused of using the fraudulent document in an effort to obtain employment and to convince a single mother that he was an upstanding citizen who could be trusted around her young children.
Also, the FBI obtained a search warrant for Wooten’s phone and discovered child sexual abuse material, in addition to the fraudulent DD-214.
FBI forensic examiners found over 200 images depicting child sexual abuse.
Search terms indicated Wooten was seeking images of young girls, including children being abused by adult males, says SC Dept. of Justice.
Just eight months before the FBI found Wooten in possession of child sexual abuse material and the fraudulent discharge document, Wooten was found guilty in state court for criminal sexual conduct with a minor.
Around two weeks before his federal trial, Wooten pleaded guilty to possessing the fraudulent DD-214.
He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years on the child sexual abuse material conviction, a fine of up to $250,000, and restitution.
A U.S. district judge will sentence Wooten after receiving and reviewing a pre-sentence report from the U.S. Probation Office.
