Federal agents arrested a former Madison County man last week on 16 counts related to exploiting children, the Department of Justice and the FBI announced.

The arrest of Justin David Beatty, 29, was announced by announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr.

Beatty is accused of production of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, and coercion and enticement of a minor between March 2013 and August 2014. Beatty was indicted in September.

“These crimes are detestable and our investigators and prosecutors will remain ever vigilant in protecting victims,” Town said. “He now faces federal charges in federal court, and if convicted will occupy bed space reserved for him in federal a prison.”

According to the indictment, Beatty persuaded, induced and coerced five minor victims to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct and to engage in sexual activity for which any person could be charged with an offense.

Beatty received and attempted to receive child pornography and material that contains child pornography involving six minor victims.

Beatty is charged with five counts of production of child pornography which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and five counts of coercion and enticement of a minor which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Beatty is also charged with six counts of receipt of child pornography which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

FBI Huntsville Resident Agency and FBI Birmingham Division Child Exploitation Task Force, along with the City of Madison Police Department investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Leann White is prosecuting.

An indictment contains only charges. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.