TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Tampa Bay palliative care doctor is facing federal child porn production charges.

Dr. Stephen Leedy was pulled over and arrested on Dec. 19 by Holly Springs police officers in Georgia.

“I’m sorry. What’s going on?” Dr. Leedy is heard asking the officers in body worn camera video obtained by News Channel 8.

“Just put your hands behind your back,” an officer said.

Leedy told officers it was a case of “mistaken identity,” and he knew nothing of a warrant.

“I’m a physician,” he said in the video.

There were two family members in the car with Leedy at the time of his arrest.

Leedy was accused of instructing 10 minors to produce child porn online in 2021 and 2022, according to his federal indictment and a news release from the Department of Justice.

“Leedy instructed the minors to produce sexually explicit images of themselves and directed them to cut, choke, and hang themselves,” read the news release announcing his arrest.

According to federal prosecutors, a minor died in November 2021 after hanging herself in front of her phone in a manner consistent with instructions Leedy had previously provided her.

A Pasco County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson confirmed that agency investigated the juvenile’s death.

At this time, the death is considered accidental and is under investigation.

“During the investigation, there was concerning content located on the juvenile’s cell phone, and that information was provided to the FBI and DOJ for further investigation,” said a spokesperson in a statement.

Leedy’s former employee said she saw no warning signs.

“Not one single thing, always respectful to all of us. Fair boss,” said Deborah Kuhlman, a social worker who worked for Dr. Leedy at Gulfside Healthcare Services in Pasco County.

Kuhlman described Dr. Leedy as “charismatic” and said everyone liked him.

She said she is shocked by the allegations against him and feels horrible for the children and their families.

“I texted one of my friends and I said ‘I feel like I’m questioning everything I thought I knew to be true’ and especially with a doctor, somebody that you trust that you would think had the high moral ethic compass,” said Kuhlman.

A Gulfside Healthcare Services spokesperson said Dr. Leedy worked there in a strictly administrative role form 2017 – 2023.

“It is with profound shock and dismay that we learned of the indictment of Dr. Stephen Leedy…The allegations are incredibly disturbing, and contrary to the values of Gulfside,” wrote spokesperson Heather Rodriguez in a statement.

Dr. Leedy has been involved in palliative care and hospice in several locations across the Bay area.

Lakeland Regional Health said Dr. Leedy had limited consulting staff privileges but was never a part of the medical staff.

Leedy previously worked as chief medical officer at Tidewell Hospice in Sarasota for five years.

His employment ended more than 10 years ago.

“The allegations against Dr. Stephen Leedy are deeply concerning…We have faith in the legal process to address this matter and remain focused on supporting our communities with extraordinary and compassionate care,” wrote a spokesperson from Empath Health in a statement.

The defendant’s wife, Lynda Leedy, has served as Chief Administrative Officer of the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB) for 10 years.

In a news release, JWB said the arrest and allegations came as a “complete shock” to Leedy.

“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,” wrote JWB Chief Executive Officer Beth Houghton in a statement.

The defendant faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.