Florida doctor accused of coercing girl to 'hang herself,' sexually exploiting 9 others

TAMPA, Fla. (TNND) — A Florida doctor has been charged with allegedly coercing minors to engage in sexual activity and abuse, including one minor who was discovered dead in front of her phone.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida announced the indictment and arrest of 59-year-old Stephen Andrew Leedy of St. Petersburg.

Attorney Roger Handberg shared that Leedy was indicted on three counts of production of child sexual abuse material and two counts of coercing or enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.

Leedy, a palliative care doctor in the Tampa Bay area, used the username "maximumuncle#9112” to sexually exploit and victimize approximately ten minors online, court documents revealed.

The man reportedly instructed minors in online conversations and video chats " to produce sexually explicit images of themselves and directed them to cut, choke, and hang themselves."

In November 2022, one of the minor victims, a female, was found dead, having hanged herself in front of her phone "in a manner consistent with instructions Leedy had previously provided her," the documents said.

The case was investigated by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and the FBI – Tampa Office, with assistance from St. Petersburg Police Department, FBI – Atlanta Office, and the Holly Springs Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Abigail K. King and Ilyssa M. Spergel will prosecute the case.

If convicted, Leedy faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.