A gymnastics coach who once lived in Navarre, Florida, has admitted in federal court to a string of serious charges tied to the production and sale of child sexual abuse material.
Theresa Mitchell, 44, entered her guilty plea last week after being taken into custody in March.
The case came together with help from law enforcement in Blair County, Pennsylvania. Logan Township Police assisted federal agents in locating and arresting Mitchell after a warrant was issued for her on March 17. She was taken into custody two days later, on March 19.
Details of the Charges and Scheme
According to federal prosecutors, Mitchell worked with a co-conspirator, Christopher Buckeridge, over two years between 2023 and 2025 to create sexually explicit content involving children.
Once produced, prosecutors say the material was distributed and sold across multiple platforms, including social media, encrypted messaging apps, and paid subscription websites.
The Department of Justice says Mitchell profited substantially from the scheme, pulling in hundreds of thousands of dollars from the sale of the illegal content.
In total, she pleaded guilty to six separate federal counts: one count of conspiring to produce and distribute child sexual abuse material, two counts of production, one count of receiving such material, one count of possessing it, and one additional count of conspiracy to commit money laundering tied to the profits from the operation.
What Comes Next for Mitchell
The penalties Mitchell now faces are steep. On the production charge alone, she is looking at a mandatory minimum of 15 years behind bars, with a maximum sentence of up to 30 years.
The remaining charges — receipt and possession of the material, along with the money laundering conspiracy count — each carry potential sentences of up to 20 years.
Beyond prison time, Mitchell will be required to pay restitution to the victims affected by her crimes. She will also be required to register as a sex offender under federal law, specifically the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, once she completes any sentence handed down by the court.
A sentencing date has already been set. Mitchell is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in the Northern District of Florida on October 14, when the court will determine exactly how much time she will serve.
The case underscores continued cooperation between local and federal authorities in pursuing child exploitation cases that cross state lines, with investigators noting that digital payment trails and subscription platforms played a key role in tracing the scope of the scheme.
