CLEVELAND, Ohio - A Trumbull County man already serving a state prison sentence in Ohio now faces an additional 50 years in federal prison for the sexual exploitation of more than 40 minors.

Christopher Callaway, 40, formerly of West Farmington, was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty in March to six counts related to the sexual exploitation of children, including the receipt and distribution of sexually explicit content involving minors and possession of child pornography. He was also ordered to pay $40,000 under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.

The federal sentence comes after a multi-year investigation revealed Callaway groomed victims between 2015 and 2022. Investigators say he targeted vulnerable girls aged 10 to 17, often finding them through social media and initiating contact via messaging apps like KIK, Snapchat, or Facebook. Court documents indicate he specifically sought out "daddy-daughter" online groups where older men communicated with underage girls.

Prosecutors say Callaway's grooming tactics included expressing affection and sending victims food, clothing, money, and gift cards to build trust. He then manipulated them into sending nude images or videos of themselves engaging in sexual acts. He also sent victims sex toys and lingerie, directing them to use these items to produce pornography for online distribution. Additionally, Callaway sent victims sexually explicit photos and videos of himself.

Federal investigators found that Callaway produced child sexual abuse material of more than 40 minors, with 21 identified in the case. Most victims were from outside Ohio, including one from New Zealand. Callaway traveled to Virginia and Florida to rape victims and record the crimes. He also brought several minors to live with him in Ohio.

During a search of Callaway's West Farmington residence, federal agents seized electronic devices containing more than 20,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse.

The case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Callaway is currently jailed at Belmont Correctional Institution, having been admitted on April 3, 2023, with an aggregate sentence of 8 to 10 years after pleading guilty in Trumbull County to multiple charges including importuning, pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. He was also declared a Tier 3 Sex Offender under Ohio law. The victim in the state case was between 13 and 15 years old in 2021.