William Wellington “Billy” Hooper, 53, of Williams Wharf in Mathews was found guilty Friday of four counts of crimes involving minors Friday after a five-day trial in the U.S. Eastern District Court of Virginia in Richmond.
It took the federal jury less than an hour and 30 minutes, including lunch, to return guilty verdicts on charges of conspiracy to produce child pornography, production of child pornography, and two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor.
Presiding U.S. District Judge David A. Novak scheduled the sentencing hearing for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, in the same court.
Hooper faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years to life in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties, according to a release on the trial from. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Testimony included explicit discussion of the actions that Hoop...