Former Bronson boys basketball coach Billy McCall Jr. was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison on Monday after pleading guilty to three counts of production of child pornography.
According to a Northern District of Florida U.S. Attorney’s Office press release, McCall, 41, of Gainesville received a term of 480 months in federal prison
“Crimes against children are among the most heinous types of offenses and deserving of the most significant sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody in the release. “The sexual abuse of children – here by a trusted educator – robs them of their innocence and results in devastating psychological pain. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and vigorously prosecute those who seek to harm our most vulnerable.”
In July of 2022, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) initiated the investigation on McCall. The two victims—15 and 14 years of age— alleged the coach touched them in separate incidents and said McCall wanted nude photos of them. The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) arrested McCall, who lived in Gainesville, on July 27, 2022.
According to the release, a 15-year-old boy who was a student at Bronson Middle/High School and played for the basketball team told LCSO that McCall had inappropriately touched him and solicited explicit videos from the boy. Further LCSO investigation led to two other victims who were members of the Bronson basketball team.
During the arrest, law enforcement seized a cellular phone from McCall that, after being examined, led to the discovery of numerous videos recorded at McCall’s house through use of a camera installed in McCall’s bathroom that depicted nude male child victims engaging in sexual conduct. One of the videos included McCall personally engaging in sexual contact with the child.
“The betrayal of trust by a coach, who is meant to guide and protect the children in his care, highlights the darkest side of humanity and warrants the toughest accountability,” said Homeland Security Investigation Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno in the release. “Those who exploit the innocence of our youth not only commit an unthinkable act but also perpetuate a life-long cycle of suffering. We stand united with our law enforcement partners to ensure that justice is served, and that we protect the vulnerable from those who seek to harm them.”
Bronson High School hired McCall in August 2021 to coach the boys basketball program. It was his first high school head coaching job after directing the middle school team since 2016. McCall also spent multiple years officiating basketball at both the high school and collegiate levels.
After McCall is released from prison, he will be required to register as a sex offender and will be followed by a lifetime of supervised release. McCall’s prison sentence will run concurrent to a 20-year state prison sentence imposed in the state case.