Man indicted for conspiracy to produce child pornography

On Oct. 1, 2025, the Cook County Grand Jury returned a true bill of indictment against Billy Ray Daniel, 67, of Dayton, Ohio, (currently in federal custody) for aggravated child molestation – party to a crime, aggravated sexual battery – party to a crime, conspiracy to commit production of child pornography (two counts), enticing a child for indecent purposes (two counts), and sexual exploitation of children (two counts).

A Cook County Superior Court judge issued a special presentment bench warrant, without bond from jail, for Daniel’s arrest on the indicted counts, according to court records.

The Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office brought the criminal counts against Daniel in connection with the case involving Amelia Maine Spires of Adel. On Feb. 14, 2024, Superior Court Judge Richard L. Perryman III sentenced Ms. Spires to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, followed by an additional 69 years in prison. Ms. Spires pled guilty to four counts charging her with, among other offenses, aggravated sexual battery, child molestation, incest, and cruelty to children. She was 47 years of age at the time of the sentencing.

According to court records, on March 8 and 11, 2023, Ms. Spires caused two underage teen girls to witness and to be the victims of felony sexual offenses and child pornography. Ms. Spires was accused of committing sex acts against the victims.

Court records further state that Ms. Spires made multiple photographs and multiple videos of the victims engaged in sexually explicit conduct. She compiled the photos and videos using an LG electronic device. According to warrants, Ms. Spires produced the child pornography with “a child’s name, a child’s place of residence, and the physical characteristics of a child, for the purpose of offering sexual conduct with an identifiable child or the depiction of such for money.” Ms. Spires made the photographs and videos with intent to sell or distribute, the warrants state.

Cook County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation brought the cases against Ms. Spires and Daniel.

According to the indictment, Daniel had Ms. Spires commit the sex acts against the victims, photograph/video the offenses, and send the photos/videos to him.

According to WHIO TV News Center 7, in May 2023, Daniel was working as a contractor at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. He faced the child porn charges upon being arrested following a suspicious package investigation near the base.

News Center 7 reported that Wright-Patterson emergency responders, including security forces and the Explosives Ordnance Disposal Team, responded to a call about a suspicious item found in the Woods housing area on May 18, 2023.

The roads were all closed around Kauffman Avenue and National Road after investigators uncovered a suspicious package.

News Center 7 learned that Billy Ray Daniel was arrested the same day the suspicious package investigation took place. His booking information revealed only that he was being held on behalf of another agency.

News Center 7 confirmed that the investigation was related to an FBI investigation.

News Center 7 asked if the FBI had searched a home affiliated with Daniel when the suspicious package was found. An FBI spokesperson said that “during the execution of court-authorized law enforcement activity, FBI personnel located suspicious items. Out of an abundance of caution, they notified the proper explosives ordnance disposal team. The scene was later declared safe, and the law enforcement activity resumed.”

A U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson confirmed to News Center 7 that Daniel is charged with conspiracy to produce child pornography and receipt of child pornography.

A spokesperson for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center confirmed that Daniel was a contractor for Applied Research Solutions at the base at the time of his arrest.

In their court filings, federal prosecutors told a judge they wanted Daniel locked up because he is accused of crimes of violence, sexual exploitation, and other abuse to children. They also said there was also a serious risk he would flee and obstruct justice by attempting to intimidate or threaten a witness or juror.

An indictment means that the Cook County Grand Jury decided prosecutors provided sufficient evidence to take a case to trial. An indictment does not mean that the defendant has been convicted of the alleged offenses. The Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the local case.