Crime & Safety

Report: Largo Puppeteer Who Planned to Eat Children Pleads Guilty

Ronald William Brown, 57, pleaded guilty Monday to eight counts of possessing or receiving child pornography, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Ronald William Brown, who authorities said was conspiring to kidnap young children, torture them and eat them, pleaded guilty Monday to charges of possessing and receiving child pornography, according to a report by the Tampa Bay Times

Brown, 57, was arrested in July 2012. He pleads guilty to eight counts of possessing or receiving child pornography, the Times reported. 

According to WTSP, last year Brown allegedly chatted online with another man last year about kidnapping and eating children, describing how they would abduct them and cook their body parts on a stove.

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The Times reported, "five of the eight counts against him carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years. Brown's attorney said in November that the earlier plea deal — which his client unexpectedly rejected at the last minute — would have brought about six years in prison.

Brown performed puppet and marionette shows to Tampa Bay area children for many years through his Puppets Plus business.

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To read the rest of the Times' report, click here.

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