BUCYRUS—David L. Holdcraft, 28, of Bucyrus, was sentenced on September 8, 2022, to 24 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr., after Holdcraft pleaded guilty to receipt and distribution of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, possession of child pornography and sexual exploitation of children in May 2022.
In addition, to the prison sentence, Holdcraft was ordered to serve ten years of supervised release, pay $28,000 in restitution and $15,000 in special and Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA) assessments.
“The cruelty and depravity of this defendant’s actions are unimaginable and individuals such as this defendant are why the Justice Department and all of law enforcement remain dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable among us by prosecuting dangerous predators,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler. “We are grateful to the authorities in this case for their hard work in identifying and apprehending this individual.”
“Finding and investigating child predators is one of the FBI’s highest priorities,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen. “Holdcraft’s conduct is appalling and heinous. This sentence ensures that he will be held accountable for his horrendous actions. We are proud of the work our agents conducted and will remain relentless in our pursuit to ensure children are protected through the FBI’s partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement, providing resources to victims and their families and continuing education and outreach into our communities.”
According to court documents, on February 25, 2022, Mansfield FBI agents executed a search warrant at Holdcraft’s Bucyrus residence after receiving information that Holdcraft was involved in the distribution of child pornography on Wickr and Kik Messenger.
During the execution of the warrant, authorities obtained several electronic devices that were later found to contain hundreds of images and videos that depicted children as young as toddlers engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Investigators also seized a child-sized rubber torso from Holdcraft’s bedroom.
Investigators further determined that Holdcraft was engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a five-year-old victim and videotaped himself performing sexual acts on the victim.
This case was investigated by the Cleveland Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Mansfield Resident Agency, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik.
