William Steven Wooten, a 46-year-old resident of Lexington, South Carolina, was convicted by a federal jury for possession of child sexual abuse material. The conviction came after a two-day trial in Spartanburg.
The investigation began when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) looked into Wooten for allegedly using a fraudulent military discharge document known as form DD-214. According to evidence presented in court, Wooten falsely claimed to be a combat veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart. He used this document to seek employment and gain the trust of a single mother.
During the investigation, the FBI obtained a search warrant for Wooten’s phone. Forensic examiners found 203 images depicting child sexual abuse, as well as evidence that Wooten had searched for images involving young girls and children being abused by adults.
Court records show that eight months prior to the discovery of these materials, Wooten had been convicted in state court for criminal sexual conduct with a minor. About two weeks before his federal trial, he pleaded guilty to possessing the fraudulent military discharge document.
Wooten now faces at least 10 years in prison on the federal conviction related to child sexual abuse material. He could also be fined up to $250,000 and ordered to pay restitution. Sentencing will be determined by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Coggins after review of a pre-sentence report from the U.S. Probation Office.
The FBI Columbia Field Office and Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Watkins and Winston Marosek are prosecuting the case.
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