Jury Finds Convicted Sexual Predator Guilty of Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material, Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison

On May 28, William Tedd Sherrod, 60, was sentenced to 16 years in prison following a jury conviction of 36 counts of possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). 

Sherrod registered as a sexual predator in 2006 following a conviction for possessing CSAM.

Sherrod was arrested for his latest case in 2021, initially only charged with six counts.

According to a press release by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), “investigators collected several digital storage devices, including a flash drive, laptops, CDs, and a cellphone. Subsequent forensic examination of the flash drive revealed a substantial number of CSAM illegal images. Charges were filed accordingly, with further review of additional devices continuing over the following months.” 

In March 2023, Assistant State Attorney Deborah Rothenberg notified the court they would pursue further criminal charges on Sherrod. 

The motion states, “The images that make up the [previous] case are so similar to those in the instant 2021 case… Additionally, while on sex offender probation… [Sherrod] was found to be in violation of his sex offender probation for possessing explicit materials involving young males on two separate occasions. These images were found on [Sherrod’s] computer during a probation search, and thus could not be the basis of a new charge. [Sherrod] was found in violation of his sex offender probation for possessing said images on two separate occasions…The images found during the probation searches are so similar to those in the instant 2021 case.”

In May 2024, Sherrod motioned to exclude any evidence that could be considered a part of “prior crimes.” The motion reveals that Sherrod’s roommate, Van Coward, also had CSAM on his devices. 

Judge William Davis issued an order denying the motion. The order states Sherrod “was sharing a residence with another man, [Van Coward], who was also arrested for possession of child pornography. The computer located in [Sherrod’s] bedroom was found with multiple images of alleged child pornography with young males. [Sherrod] initially denied having any child pornographic images. He later admitted he might have some images of naked boys, but nothing illegal. This is very similar to [Sherrod’s] responses to law enforcement in 2006. Additionally, [Sherrod] roommate's bedroom computer contained alleged child pornography with young females, not males.”

On May 28, 2025, Sherrod took his case to trial and was found guilty by a jury.

The jury deliberated for three hours, according to ACSO’s press release. 

Unless Sherrod manages to live to be 86 years old, he’ll die in prison.