Florida
Former Florida Panhandle Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse Charges in Federal Court
Tallahassee, Florida – Keagan Garrett Bohlinger, 26, of Monticello, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to 11 counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography from the internet. The plea was announced by John P.…
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Key points
- Keagan Garrett Bohlinger, a former Monticello Police officer, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of producing child pornography.
- The charges stem from the sexual abuse of a young child and recording illicit media in January 2026.
- Bohlinger faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 350 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for December 11, 2026.
NewsWK — A former North Florida law enforcement officer faces decades in federal prison after pleading guilty to producing child pornography. Keagan Garrett Bohlinger, 26, of Monticello, entered his plea in the Tallahassee division of the federal court.
Why it matters
Public safety and community trust remain vital for residents across Northwest Florida. Therefore, when a sworn officer violates federal law, it threatens the integrity of regional law enforcement. This regional prosecution demonstrates the commitment of federal authorities to protecting local children from exploitation.
What are the charges against Keagan Garrett Bohlinger?
Bohlinger pleaded guilty to 11 counts of producing child pornography and one count of possessing illicit media. He previously worked as an officer with the Monticello Police Department. Because of his actions, federal prosecutors charged him under the Project Safe Childhood initiative.
According to official court documents, Bohlinger sexually abused a young child on three occasions in January 2026. During those incidents, he recorded multiple images and videos of the abuse. Additionally, investigators discovered he downloaded other child pornography from the internet. Consequently, Homeland Security Investigations and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office launched a joint investigation.
What penalties does the defendant face?
Bohlinger faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison for his crimes. However, his maximum sentence could reach up to 350 years if the judge orders consecutive terms. He also faces lifetime supervised release and mandatory sex offender registration.
The potential penalties include:
- A mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison.
- A maximum penalty of 30 years per production count.
- Up to 20 years for the possession charge.
- Supervised release from five years to life.
When is sentencing scheduled for Keagan Garrett Bohlinger?
United States District Judge Mark E. Walker will sentence Bohlinger on December 11, 2026. The hearing will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the U.S. Courthouse in Tallahassee. Meanwhile, Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain will handle the prosecution.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
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