Bay Area doctor accused of sexually exploiting kids told them to cut, choke and hang themselves: DOJ

Tampa doctor charged with sexually exploiting minors

Kylie Jones reports.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A Bay Area doctor has been arrested, accused of producing sexual abuse materials and enticing minors into sexual activity.

According to the Department of Justice, Stephen Andrew Leedy, 59, a palliative care doctor, has been charged with three counts of production of child sexual abuse material and two counts of coercing or enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity.

According to the indictment and court documents, Leedy used the name "maximumuncle#9112" to sexually exploit and victimize approximately 10 minors online.

In online conversations and video chats, Leedy instructed the minors to produce sexually explicit images of themselves and directed them to cut, choke, and hang themselves, according to the Department of Justice.

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Investigators say one of the victims was as young as 11 or 12 years old when she first started talking to Leedy.

In November 2021, the U.S. Attorney's Office says one of the alleged victims, a 13-year-old girl, was found dead in her bathroom after she hung herself in front of her phone in a manner consistent with instructions Leedy had given her in the past.

According to court documents, Leedy’s conversations with other minors on a social media app also revolved around the production of child pornography and self-harm. Investigators say Leedy ‘hid behind the cloak of anonymity’ by either lying about his identity or using a black screen in video calls with the victims.

They say Leedy allegedly asked at least one victim to refer to him as ‘my Lord.’

The Holly Springs Police Department arrested Leedy several days before Christmas. A spokesperson with the department says they received a BOLO for Leedy, and he was taken into custody during a traffic stop on the interstate in Holly Springs.

Leedy was then taken into custody by the FBI-Atlanta. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida says Leedy is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals in Atlanta. He’s expected to be transported back to Tampa.

If convicted, Leedy could spend the rest of his life in federal prison. It’s not clear where Leedy was most recently employed.

This case was investigated by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and the FBI – Tampa Office, with assistance from St. Petersburg Police Department, FBI – Atlanta Office, and the Holly Springs Police Department.

Leedy’s attorneys, Bjorn Brunvand and Lucas Fleming, sent the following statement to FOX 13:

"Our client, Stephen Leedy adamantly denies the charges that have been filed against him in federal court. It is particularly important in moments like this when someone is being accused of very troubling allegations, that we afford him the presumption of innocence. We will be entering a not guilty plea at the earliest opportunity and look forward to vigorously defending Dr. Leedy in court."

Empath Health stated, "The allegations against Dr. Stephen Leedy are deeply concerning. Dr. Leedy worked as Chief Medical Officer at Tidewell Hospice, one of Empath’s seven hospices, for five years, with his employment ending more than ten years ago. While there has been minimal professional interaction with him since then, he has not been employed by Empath Health for more than a decade. We have faith in the legal process to address this matter and remain focused on supporting our communities with extraordinary and compassionate care."

Leedy's wife works for the Juvenile Welfare Board in Pinellas County. In a statement to FOX 13, the organization said:

"We recently learned that Dr. Stephen Leedy was indicted and arrested on charges of producing child sexual abuse materials by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida. The arrest and allegations came as a complete shock to all, including his wife Lynda Leedy, who has served as Chief Administrative Officer of the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB) for the past 10 years.

‘Ms. Leedy is a valued member of JWB’s Executive Leadership Team where she holds herself and others to the highest standards of ethical and professional behavior and possesses impeccable integrity," stated JWB Chief Executive Officer Beth Houghton. "While this news leaves us stunned and saddened for Ms. Leedy, her family, and any potential victims in this case, I have the utmost confidence in her ability to continue to carry out JWB’s mission of strengthening the lives of our county’s children and families.’

While Ms. Leedy does not work directly with children in her role, she is required to pass a Level 2 background screening as a condition of her employment. A Level 2 background screening is a comprehensive criminal history check that involves a fingerprint-based search at both the state and national level, typically used for positions requiring a high level of trust and responsibility and includes checks for disqualifying offenses.

During her tenure with JWB, Ms. Leedy has led key efforts for the organization, including the Children’s Mental Health Initiative, Family Services Initiative, and Turbo Babies, an early childhood public awareness campaign. She is highly committed to the safety, health, and well-being of Pinellas County’s children, as well as to that of JWB’s employees, and she has been recognized on a local, state, and national level for her work to improve the lives of others.

During this challenging time, we ask for grace, empathy, and privacy for Ms. Leedy and her family."

Lakeland Regional Health also chimed in after Dr. Leedy's arrest. The organization said that while it never employed Dr. Leedy, he had limited consulting staff privileges and sent FOX 13 the following statement:

"We are deeply troubled to learn of the recent arrest of Dr. Stephen Leedy. Dr. Leedy is not, and never has been, employed by Lakeland Regional Health and there is no record of Dr. Leedy ever treating patients at our hospital. Through his affiliation with an outside hospice organization, he had limited consulting staff privileges for adult-only hospice and palliative care and was not on the active medical staff. These privileges at our hospital were relinquished immediately upon notification of his arrest."

Advocates at the Crisis Center of Tampa say this is an example of master manipulation.

"This would be absolutely disgusting and horrific to a new level," Clara Reynolds, the president and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, said.

"He was trusted in the community," Reynolds said. "He had a lot of skill sets, and in this double life that he led, unfortunately, he utilized those skill sets to really victimize innocent children in our community."

Reynolds encourages families to talk to their children about situations like this and about safety online.

"We have to teach our kids that information from a very young age," Reynolds said. "And that is, unfortunately, the reality of the society that we're living in. So, parents, teachers, we also have that burden to teach our kids that bad things can happen out there and how to protect ourselves, how to protect themselves."

The Crisis Center encourages you to call the 211 line, which is monitored 24/7, if you or someone you know needs help.

The Source: This story was written with information provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

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