Former Gymnastics Coach and Social Media Content Creator Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of Children

Press Release
Former Gymnastics Coach and Social Media Content Creator Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of Children
For Immediate Release
Office of Public Affairs
Theresa Mitchell, 44, formerly of Navarre, Florida, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to one count of conspiracy to produce and distribute child pornography, two counts of production of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to court documents, between 2023 and 2025, Theresa Mitchell conspired with Christopher Buckeridge to produce and sell images of minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Mitchell sold and distributed those images and videos to customers on social media platforms, messaging applications, and subscription-based websites. Buckeridge also sent Mitchell hundreds of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of minors, including material that depicted the sadistic sexual abuse of prepubescent children. Ultimately, Mitchell received hundreds of thousands of dollars from selling images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
On March 17, a federal magistrate judge issued a warrant for the arrest of Mitchell and Buckeridge. Mitchell was arrested by federal agents in central Pennsylvania on March 19 and remains in custody.
Mitchell faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on the child pornography production and conspiracy counts. Mitchell also faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the child pornography receipt and possession counts, as well as the money laundering conspiracy count. If convicted, Mitchell will be required to pay restitution to her victims and to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). A U.S. district judge will determine Mitchell’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 14.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney John “Jack” P. Heekin for the Northern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley of the FBI Jacksonville Field Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingengo of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.
The case is being jointly investigated by HSI, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the FBI. Trial Attorney Eduardo Palomo of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg for the Northern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
This case was 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 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Updated July 22, 2026
Topic
Project Safe Childhood