St. Pete palliative care physician charged with sexually exploiting kids

A St. Petersburg palliative care doctor who has overseen medical services for at least two hospice organizations in the region has been indicted and arrested on three counts of production of child sexual abuse material and two counts of coercing or enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. 

The federal charges against the physician, Dr. Stephen Andrew Leedy, 59, were announced by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Tampa late Monday. Authorities allege Leedy, going back to at least November 2021, “sexually exploited and victimized” approximately 10 minors online through conversations and video chats. Prosecutors also allege “Leedy instructed the minors to produce sexually explicit images of themselves and directed them to cut, choke, and hang themselves.”

Leedy faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison if convicted on all counts.