Austin Thompson, Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material, Mississippi 2024

Austin Thompson, a 21-year-old from Booneville, Mississippi, has been sentenced to 60 months in prison for distributing child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents, Thompson was using an internet application to distribute sexually explicit images and videos of minors as young as 8 years old. Agents identified Thompson as the likely owner and user of the identified accounts based on prior contact with law enforcement for trafficking in child pornography.

Austin Thompson’s actions have resulted in a stiff sentence, with many praising the authorities for their efforts. “People who have a sexual interest in children do not belong in society, they belong in prison,” said United States Attorney Clay Joyner.

Thompson was found to be distributing child sexual abuse material using an internet application.

The FBI, Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, and Prentiss County Sheriff’s Department were all involved in the case. “Each time child pornography is exchanged over the internet, children are re-victimized,” stated Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jackson Field Office Robert Eikhoff.

Other officials praised the partnership between agencies in bringing the case to a close. “While this conviction does not turn back the clock, it prevents this predator from inflicting more harm,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch.

Austin Thompson was sentenced to 60 months in prison for distributing child sexual abuse material.

The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Parker S. King prosecuting on behalf of the government. The case was part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, which aims to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Austin Thompson’s conviction brings an end to this case, but the fight against child sexual abuse continues.