Former Buckhannon Mayor Indicted For Producing Child Pornography

Thursday, October 3, 2024, 7:00 A.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

WHEELING, W.VA.- U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld reported, that on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, a Federal Grand Jury for the Northern District of West Virginia, returned an indictment against David Walter McCauley, 66, Buckhannon, West Virginia, the former Buckhannon Mayor and sitting councilman on child pornography charges.

Former Buckhannon Mayor Charged

     The indictment charges McCauley with two counts of Production of Child Pornography; and one count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material.

     The charging information in the indictment alleges that McCauley enticed a 17-year-old boy to engage in sexually explicit conduct for photo and video production. The indictment further charges McCauley with knowingly and purposely possessing nude and sexually explicit digital images of children on his computer.

     “As alleged, David McCauley produced child pornography involving a juvenile boy on multiple occasions,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. “Those who prey upon and exploit our youth will be held accountable, no matter their status in the community.”

Project Safe Childhood

     The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pittsburgh Police Department, and the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department and was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”