Man convicted in “teen modeling” scheme used to produce child pornography

53-year-old William Wellington Hooper has been convicted by a federal jury on charges that he committed conspiracy to produce child pornography, production of child pornography and two counts of coercion and enticement of a child.  The conviction came after less than an hour and a half of deliberation on September 18 which also included time for lunch.

Hooper faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on February 9, 2021.

The woman he conspired with, Jennifer Hutchens, 53, of Gloucester, Virginia, pleaded guilty earlier to a charge of production of child pornography and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13.

According to information presented during the trial, Hutchens recruited females, identified only as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, whose families were struggling financially, to participate in "teen modeling" for Hooper, with the promise of compensation. The crimes took place between the month of April and May 2019.

Jane Doe 1 reportedly complained about not being compensated enough after being photographed nude by Hutchens at her home.  Hooper, in a text message, told the girl that he could only pay her based on what he was paid, but told her that he may be able to get up to $1,000 for nude images without her face if he took the images himself.

Hooper was aware that the girl needed money for a school trip that was supposed to take place that summer.

Hutchens then drove the girl to Hooper's yacht in order to "clean it."  While she was there, Hooper took "numerous" nude images of the girl, and sexually assaulted her.  She was paid $50 according to court documents.

Hooper is no stranger to the Federal justice system.  In 2013 he was indicted for his part in a "kick back" scheme involving government contracts.