Federal authorities have charged a Florida palliative care doctor with producing child pornography.

As CrimeOnline previously reported,  Holly Springs police in Georgia arrested Dr. Stephen Leedy was  on December 19 after being pulled over.

He’s facing accusations of coaching at least one of his victims to her death. The victim, identified as a 13-year-old, was found “hanging from the shower head with a dog leash around her neck,” according to Department of Justice prosecutors.

“I’m sorry. What’s going on?” Leedy asked the officers, according to a police video obtained by News Channel 8.

“Just put your hands behind your back,” the officer replied.

Leedy told officers he was a victim of “mistaken identity” and said he was a physician who didn’t know of any warrants for his arrest.

An indictment issued on December 26 outlined the charges against him, which include three counts of producing child sexual abuse material and two counts of coercing or enticing a minor to participate in sexual activity.

“According to the indictment and court filings, Leedy, a palliative care physician in the Tampa Bay area, used the username ‘maximumuncle#9112’ to sexually exploit and target approximately ten minors online,” DOJ officials stated in a press release on Monday.

During online chats and video calls, Leedy instructed the minors to create sexually explicit images of themselves and directed them to cut, choke, and hang themselves. In November 2021, Minor Victim 1 was found dead, having hanged herself in front of her phone in a manner consistent with the instructions Leedy had previously given her.”

The Miami Herald reports that as of January 7, Florida Department of Health records show that Leedy’s medical license remains active in the state. The records also indicate he has no disciplinary actions on his record.

According to WFLA, FDH records indicated he has been practicing medicine in the state since January 1991, focusing on hospice and palliative care. The alleged victims were unaware of his identity and profession.

If convicted on all counts against him,  Leedy could served life in federal prison.

Check back for updates.

[Feature Photo: Dr. Stephen Leedy/ Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association]