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United States of America v. John Don Bannister, Jr.
Date: 08-01-2025
Case Number:
Judge:
Court: The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office for Ocala
Defendant's Attorney: Click Here For The Best Ocala, Florida Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory
Ocala, Florida criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material
Lake County Man Pleads Guilty To Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material
United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that John Don Bannister, Jr. (31, Clermont) has pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Bannister faces a minimum penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison on each count. Bannister is currently detained pending sentencing. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, on April 26 and May 4, 2023, in Lake County, Bannister produced CSAM with a 14-year-old child. An investigation by law enforcement showed that Bannister had been supplying vape pens and drugs to minors. In return for these items, Bannister asked the minors to provide him nude images and videos of themselves.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Mascotte Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more iCnformation about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Bannister faces a minimum penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison on each count.
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. John Don Bannister, Jr.?
The outcome was: Bannister faces a minimum penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison on each count.
Which court heard United States of America v. John Don Bannister, Jr.?
This case was heard in The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, FL.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. John Don Bannister, Jr.?
Plaintiff's attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office for Ocala. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Ocala, Florida Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. John Don Bannister, Jr. decided?
This case was decided on August 1, 2025.