Crime
St. Petersburg doctor 59-year-old Stephen Andrew Leedy arrested after allegedly instructing young girls to film sex acts while injuring themselves
St. Petersburg, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Stephen Andrew Leedy (59, St. Petersburg) on charges related to the production of child sexual abuse material and coercion of minors to engage in sexual activity.
The Charges:
- Three counts of production of child sexual abuse material
- Two counts of coercing or enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity
Potential Penalty:
- Life in federal prison, if convicted on all counts
Leedy, a palliative care doctor in the Tampa Bay area, allegedly used the online alias “maximumuncle#9112” to exploit and abuse approximately ten minors.
Through online interactions, Leedy is accused of instructing these minors to produce sexually explicit content and to engage in self-harm, including cutting, choking, and hanging.
Tragically, one of the victims, identified as Minor Victim 1, was found deceased by hanging in November 2021, in a manner consistent with Leedy’s prior instructions.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal wrongdoing, and Leedy is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
This case is the result of a collaborative effort by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the FBI’s Tampa Office, with assistance from the St. Petersburg Police Department, the FBI’s Atlanta Office, and the Holly Springs Police Department.
The prosecution will be handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Abigail K. King and Ilyssa M. Spergel.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Project Safe Childhood 1 unites federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children and to rescue victims.
Crime
Seven San Antonio Police Officers Shot, Suspect Dead Following Standoff at Sonterra Heights apartment
A violent confrontation at the Sonterra Heights apartment complex on San Antonio’s Far North Side late Wednesday night resulted in seven police officers being shot and the suspect found dead inside his apartment, authorities confirmed.
The incident began just before 9 p.m. when an officer responded to a report of a potential suicide at the complex located off Stone Oak Parkway near North Loop 1604 East.
According to San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, the responding officer was met with gunfire upon arrival.
As additional officers arrived on the scene, six more were shot by the suspect, bringing the total number of wounded officers to seven.
All officers were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Chief McManus reported that four officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while the conditions of the remaining three have not yet been disclosed.
Following the initial gunfire, the suspect barricaded himself inside an apartment, prompting the deployment of the San Antonio Police Department’s SWAT team.
Authorities worked swiftly to evacuate residents who could safely leave the premises, while others were instructed to remain inside their apartments for their safety.
After an hours-long standoff, SWAT officers breached the apartment around 2:45 a.m. Thursday, where they discovered the suspect deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
Chief McManus stated that it remains unclear whether the fatal shot was self-inflicted or the result of return fire from officers.
The suspect, described as a male in his 40s, had a criminal record that included three prior arrests—two for assault and one for driving while intoxicated (DWI).
At the time of the shooting, he was out on bond related to the DWI charge.
The San Antonio Police Department continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the suspect’s motives and whether any additional factors contributed to the deadly encounter.
Chief McManus expressed gratitude to the officers involved and emphasized the dangers law enforcement officers face daily. “This was an extremely dangerous situation that could have had even more tragic consequences,” he said.
Further updates on the conditions of the injured officers and additional details about the investigation will be released as they become available.