ST. LOUIS (News First) — A Pevely man, accused of recording his sexual abuse of a minor, was arrested and made an appearance in federal court in St. Louis on Tuesday.
Matthew Gamel, 36, was indicted on November 8, facing charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and receipt of child pornography. Gamel pleaded not guilty during his court appearance on Tuesday.
The indictment alleges that between January 1, 2021, and February 22, 2023, Gamel coerced a minor into producing child pornography and received child pornography between January 1, 2021, and August 1, 2023. According to a motion seeking to have Gamel held in jail until trial, he recorded the sexual abuse of the minor when she was under the age of 14.
The sexual exploitation of a minor charge carries a potential penalty of 15 to 30 years in prison, while the receipt of child pornography charge is punishable by five to 20 years in prison.
It is crucial to note that charges outlined in an indictment are accusations and do not serve as proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Pevely Police Department and the FBI jointly investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing issue of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood brings together federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals exploiting children via the Internet and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
