WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAV) - A former nurse practitioner has pleaded guilty to federal charges arising out of his distribution of child pornography to an undercover law enforcement officer in June 2024, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Lucas Allen Fussell, 42, of Onley, Virginia, pleaded guilty on December 18 to two counts of distribution of child pornography. According to court papers, between December 20, 2023, and February 7, 2024, Fussell exchanged videos and images containing child pornography with another individual whose phone was later seized and searched by the FBI pursuant to a search warrant. In the course those conversations, Fussell shared details that revealed his identity. Those details included his home address, a description of his vehicle, and numerous sexualized comments about examining the genitals of patients—some as young as 11 years old—that he saw in the course of his work as a nurse practitioner. Fussell sent an undercover agent with the FBI-Metropolitan Police Department Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force numerous images and videos depicting the rape and sexual abuse of prepubescent boys', officials say. Port Wentworth PD investigating Saturday shooting On July 16, 2024, the FBI executed a search warrant at Fussell’s residence in Onley, Virginia, and seized numerous encrypted electronic devices, according to officials. Fussell was arrested and has remained in custody ever since. Fussell faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a statutory maximum of 40 years in prison. He also faces mandatory restitution.  A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 6. This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood visit justice.gov/psc.