Des Moines photographer pleads guilty to child pornography and sexual exploitation

DES MOINES, Iowa — The owner of a Des Moines photography business has pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography.

The Iowa Attorney General’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa issued a press release Wednesday announcing the guilty plea of ​​Jeffrey Gray, 61. He is expected to be sentenced on January 8, 2025.

Gray was the owner and operator of Wicked Imagery, a metro company specializing in adult boudoir photography and child dance photography. He was arrested in February on charges of child pornography and sexual exploitation.

Court documents allege that Gray produced and possessed child sexual abuse material between 2005 and 2016. Some of the material was created at Wicked Imagery, using hidden cameras in locker rooms that captured videos and images of children undressing.

In November 2023, a hard drive was found at Gray’s home that investigators said contained child abuse material, including at least 15 minor victims.

If convicted, Gray faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison with a maximum of 30 years for the sexual exploitation charge. There is a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for possession of child pornography.