Covington Man Charged With Sexual Exploitation of Minors

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today (May 13, 2024) that Keith Thomas Chandler, age 54 and of Covington, was charged in a two-count indictment for Production of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors and for Possession of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors.  Chandler faces a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than fifteen (15) years and a maximum sentence of thirty (30) years, and/or a fine of $250,000.00, or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person of the offense under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571. In addition, Chandler faces a term of supervised release of no less than five (5) years and up to life after his release from prison.

According to filed case documents, the case against Chandler developed as a result of a complaint to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”). On April 29, 2024, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) special agents, along with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, executed a federal search warrant at Chandler's residence in Covington. During the execution of the search warrant, Chandler was arrested for production of child pornography and possession of pre-pubescent child pornography. Chandler has been in custody since he was arrested on April 29, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the St Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.