JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Bradford County man pleaded guilty in federal court to using his tanning bed business to make child porn, authorities said Thursday.
U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announced that 48-year-old Doyce Dean Griffis from Starke pleaded guilty to five counts of producing videos of child pornography. Griffis has been in custody since his arrest in April 2011.
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According to court documents, Griffis operated a tanning bed in an "outbuilding" on his property. He allowed customers to use the tanning bed in exchange for money by providing them with an entry code to unlock the door.
On April 26, 2011 the Bradford County Sheriff's Office received a complaint that Griffis may be videotaping female customers through the mirror. During the course of the investigation, Griffis made several admissions.
According to the documents, Griffis' customers thought the room and tanning bed were secure and that their privacy was protected. However, the outbuilding room containing the tanning bed had been equipped with a two-way mirror. Additionally, Griffis made a hole in an air vent that allowed him to spy on customers as they used the tanning bed.
The documents say Griffis made videos of dozens of female customers, including more than 20 underage children.
On each of the production counts, Griffis faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and a potential life term of supervised release.
The plea agreement also requires Griffis to give up a computer, two video cameras, numerous video tapes and other computer and recording equipment.