Bradenton man gets prison after downloading child sexual abuse, prosecutors say
A Bradenton man is headed to federal prison for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse materials.
A U.S. District judge sentenced 35-year-old Capers Scott Hammond to five years in prison on May 27 in a Tampa courtroom after he pleaded guilty to both charges earlier this year, according to court records.
According to court documents, law enforcement began investigating Hammond in March 2024 after he downloaded videos and images from an IP address later traced to his Bradenton apartment.
In September, federal agents executed a residential search warrant at Hammond’s apartment, where he lived alone, and seized multiple electronic devices, including an iPad, two iPhones and several electronic storage devices, according to an arrest report.
After a forensic review, investigators said they found four illegal videos and about seven images on a Samsung solid-state drive, involving children between the ages of 4 and 11.
According to court records, Hammond waived his right to a grand jury indictment and agreed to proceed with charges filed directly by prosecutors. They charged him with two felony counts, and he later pleaded guilty to both.
Hammond remained out on bond after pleading guilty and reported to federal custody following his sentencing, according to court records.
Judge Steven D. Merryday ordered Hammond to pay a $30,000 fine and $5,000 in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Court records show Hammond must serve 20 years of supervised release after his prison term and will be required to register as a sex offender.
