Escambia Man Gets 11 Years In Federal Prison For Child Exploitation Charges

July 24, 2021

An Escambia County man has been sentence to more than a decade in federal prison for child exploitation crimes.

David Edward Merry, 60, sentenced to eleven years in prison on federal charges related to his receipt of child pornography following his guilty plea.

Court documents reflect, in February 2019, officers with the Pensacola Police Department received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a particular online account with Google maintained child pornography. Homeland Security Investigations and the Pensacola Police Department were able to geo-locate the criminal activity of Merry to Pensacola.

The Pensacola Police Department, through a records check, confirmed that Merry was a suspect in two prior child exploitation investigations in 2016 and 2017. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Merry’s Google account, identifying the child pornography he maintained in the cloud. Law enforcement then obtained and executed a search warrant at Merry’s residence, resulting in the seizure of multiple electronic devices. A forensic review of the seized items revealed thousands of images of child pornography. Merry was arrested and released on bond conditions. While on release, probation officers suspected that Merry continued his illicit activity, and federal agents were able to seize his newly obtained cellular telephone and search it pursuant to a warrant. Additional images of child pornography were located, and Merry was taken into custody without bond. He has been in custody awaiting sentencing since that time.

During the sentencing hearing, United States District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers considered a prior offense in which Merry was identified as having sexually exploited a minor female.

“The abuse committed by this child predator has come to an end as a result of the vigilant efforts of our law enforcement partners,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Coody. “We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who engage in such heinous conduct will be held accountable for their actions.”

“Merry will now face accountability for his continued delight in the disgusting images of children being exploited,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Sibley, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Northern Florida. “Every time one of these images is shared or viewed it revictimizes an innocent person.”

“This sentence is an example of the great partnership between Pensacola Police and the U.S. Department of Justice,” said Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall. This team is determined to hold those fully accountable who seek to do harm to our children.”

Following his 11-year term of imprisonment, Merry will be supervised by the United States Probation Office for the rest of his life.

The case was investigated by United States Homeland Security Investigations, the Pensacola Police Department, and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Meredith L. Steer.

Comments

9 Responses to “Escambia Man Gets 11 Years In Federal Prison For Child Exploitation Charges”

  1. min suga on December 3rd, 2021 2:53 pm

    this guy was my neighbor and its a little unsettling whenever you think about it because I lived by this man for a bit and he was doing all this weird stuff… I even helped him with groceries like I could have been kidnapped or worse but good thing I didnt

  2. William 2 on July 28th, 2021 11:25 pm

    Does it matter if it’s a real child or a sting? People like this man are going to meet someone that they expect to be a child, I would much rather it be Deputies than a child and I expect the penalty to be just as harsh. No quarter should be given to anyone who preys on children and this man had intentions of doing just that or he wouldn’t be in trouble.

  3. Don Neese on July 24th, 2021 4:36 pm

    Makes me wonder why God hasn’t completley destroyed all of humanity yet.

  4. JD on July 24th, 2021 1:47 pm

    I wish these type of cases would specify if their was an actual attempt at a real child or if these were one of those sting set ups to catch these people. Good riddance to him

  5. Workin man on July 24th, 2021 12:17 pm

    Exactly Ensley boy let them all find love in prison i still don’t understand how he got fed time. Fed is for guys that rob stores or banks with a note not altering our children’s youth and scaring them for life

  6. Workin man on July 24th, 2021 12:11 pm

    The only bad thing is he got federal prison over state. State is 10 fold more harsh i just don’t understand how he got fed time over state unless he told on a lot of his drug dealers and perhaps his other pervert friends either which way between God and the inmates he is going to have a SORrE 11 years

  7. William 2 on July 24th, 2021 11:55 am

    I’m with ensley boy, this dirt bag received the pictures from someone and that person needs to be exposed!!!

  8. JimC on July 24th, 2021 9:16 am

    Thrilled that they caught this guy, but I’m not a hundred percent sure his disgusting habit “has come to an end”. Sad to say that these pedophiles have a life-long fascination with their perversion. He’ll bide his time, fantasizing about his “collection” and, if he survives prison, he will almost surely return to his old ways soon after release, regardless of so-called “supervision”. His previous disregard for consequences will bear that out.

  9. ensley boy on July 24th, 2021 7:21 am

    I wonder if they can trace who he was getting the pictures from and put them in jail also.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News