HUNTSVILLE, ALA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)), published as received.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A Maryland man has been convicted on child exploitation charges, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr.
The jury returned a guilty verdict against Donald Bernard Mewhort, Sr., 42, of Lexington Park, Maryland, after 3 days of testimony before U.S. District Court Judge Liles C. Burke. Mewhort was convicted of one count of sexual exploitation of children, one count of coercion and enticement of a minor and one count of transfer of obscene matter to a minor.
“Justice prevailed today when the jury returned the guilty verdict against the defendant,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “He preyed upon a vulnerable child victim and tried to cover his tracks. But thanks to the hard work of local, state, and federal law enforcement in Alabama and Maryland, he was caught. I am proud of the Assistant United States Attorneys who put in countless hours preparing for trial and presenting convincing evidence to the jury. Their professionalism and dedication are commendable. It is an honor to partner with such dedicated professionals so that right triumphs over wrong. We are a united front in our commitment to protecting children and ensuring those who commit these horrific crimes are held accountable.”
According to the evidence presented at trial, in January 2026, the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding the sexual exploitation of a minor. On January 15, 2026, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received two CyberTipline reports from Snapchat. Snapchat reported to NCMEC that 11 files were identified as child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and within those files images of the minor victim were identified. During the investigation, the FBI learned Mewhort resided in Lexington Park, Maryland. On February 5, 2026, FBI executed a search warrant on Mewhort’s residence. The agents seized multiple electronic devices at the residence and Mewhort’s cell phone. A forensic examination of Mewhort’s cell phone revealed images and videos of CSAM. Thousands of Snapchat messages with the victim that included CSAM of the minor victim were saved on his phone and admitted as evidence at trial.
“I also feel compelled to thank our young Alabama victim who is now one of my heroes”, said U.S. Attorney Williams. “She exhibited the utmost courage by boldly facing down her victimizer in Court. That took real guts, and it also means that she may well have saved countless other young ladies from being subjected to this man’s prurient crimes. She was awesome!”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also made special note of the Alabama Office of Prosecution Services who helped in providing an emotional support dog who stayed with the victim and her family members before and after her testimony. The dog, who is specially trained to sense distress and provide comfort, did just that. By special motion, and leave of court, the dog whose name is Gallant, soothed the victim’s initial distress and helped her to be ready to take the stand. “This is something that we will repeat in future cases based on the success of this instance with Gallant,” said U.S. Attorney Williams.
The FBI played a key role in bringing Mewhort to justice. "The FBI will relentlessly pursue anyone who exploits a child,” said David R. Fitzgibbons, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Birmingham. “This verdict sends a clear message: if you target a minor in Alabama or anywhere else, JUSTICE WILL FIND YOU. Our partnerships with the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation, and FBI Baltimore were critical in bringing this offender to justice, and we will continue to stand united against anyone who preys on children."
If you suspect or become aware of a child being sexually abused or exploited, please contact law enforcement. To alert the FBI Birmingham Office, call 205-326-6166. Reports can also be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or online at www.cybertipline.org.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ 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 and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The FBI Birmingham Division and FBI Baltimore, Maryland Division investigated the case along with the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Leonardtown, Maryland. Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. Leann White and Michael Lewis are prosecuting the case.
