3 face federal child sex abuse charges
HUNTSVILLE — Three individuals with ties to the Shoals area are facing multiple federal criminal charges related to the sexual exploitation of children.
A federal grand jury has returned an indictment on Abigail Roberts, 22, Michael Chambers, 26, and Landon Williams, 20.
Roberts faces five charges including conspiracy to engage in the sexual exploitation of children, conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, sexual exploitation of children, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
Chambers was indicted on three charges — sexual exploitation of children, conspiracy to engage in the sexual exploitation of children, and conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography.
A resident of Cherokee, Williams faces 13 counts in relation to incidents involving a minor that occurred between June 2024 and February 2026.
His charges include 11 counts of sexual exploitation of children, one count of coercion and enticement of a minor. and one count of possession of child pornography.
Multiple victims were allegedly involved in Williams’ case.
The charges were announced on Wednesday by the United States District Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama.
All three individuals will be arraigned at the federal courthouse in Huntsville on July 23, according to court records.
Originally from Carrollton, Georgia, Roberts and Chambers. who were in a relationship at the time. were arrested on April 12 and 23, respectively, in Franklin County after the mother of the 6-yearold victim notified law enforcement.
Investigators with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a search warrant to search Roberts’ phone and found several photos of the 6-year-old on her phone.
Roberts told investigators she and Chambers had “made the acquaintance of” the victim’s family and had been living with them for approximately three weeks at their residence in Tharptown.
During the interview, Roberts also told investigators she “took baths” with the victim, which is when the alleged photos and videos were taken.
A search of her electronic devices revealed numerous photos and approximately 10 videos of Roberts and the victim “naked together” and “performing sexual acts on each other.”
Roberts also told investigators she did not realize a six-year-old cannot give consent.
Both Roberts and Chambers received federal charges due to allegedly transmitting the explicit content across state lines in violation of federal interstate commerce laws. In addition to their federal charges, Roberts is also facing 106 charges in Franklin County Circuit Court, while Chambers faces 76 charges.
During her arraignment earlier this month, Roberts pled not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, while Chambers waived his right to an arraignment entirely.
Both cases are set for trial in Franklin County Circuit Court on Aug.17, but that date could be changed depending on what happens with the federal court proceedings.
As for Williams, who was 19 at the time of his arrest in February, he originally faced 38 charges, including rape, sodomy and production and possession of child pornography.
Investigators first learned of the allegations against Williams, which included a 13-year-old victim, around Christmas 2025.
During their investigation, authorities learned there were two additional victims, aged 12 and 15.
An affidavit from the interview between investigators and the 13-yearold victim revealed she “advised the had participated reluctantly and had told him ‘no!’ on numerous occasions, but stated the later encounters were mutual.”
Williams is currently being held in the Colbert County Jail. A hearing regarding his application for youthful offender status is slated for Sept. 23.
All three individuals were indicted as part of an initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Justice known as Project Safe Childhood.
