TAMPA — A Largo woman has been indicted on federal charges related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM), according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Debra Jean Schilling, 71, is charged with receipt, distribution, and possession of CSAM. If convicted on all counts, she faces a maximum penalty of 60 years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the charges.
According to the indictment and court proceedings, Schilling allegedly received and distributed CSAM to clients while working as a phone sex operator, using the material in connection with sexual conversations. Investigators also allege she possessed CSAM stored in her iCloud account.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abigail K. King.
Authorities noted that an indictment is a formal charge and that Schilling is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and identify victims.