Harris Gets 20 Years for KIK Extortion & Child Porn

WACO, TX – Foster Denzel Harris, a man from Mississippi, will spend the next two decades in federal prison after being sentenced for the distribution of child pornography and a brutal extortion scheme targeting a vulnerable teenager. The 240-month sentence, handed down in federal court, represents the maximum punishment allowed under the applicable statute.

Court documents reveal Harris, aided and abetted by an accomplice, knowingly distributed and attempted to distribute visual depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct – a clear violation of federal law. The victim, now identified as a survivor, first came forward to the FBI in 2022, reporting years of abuse that began when she was just 16 years old and living in Killeen, Texas.

Between 2016 and 2022, Harris relentlessly extorted $21,000 from the victim using the KiK social media application. He threatened to expose compromising images if she refused to pay, holding her captive in a cycle of fear and financial ruin. The scheme went on for six years before the victim found the courage to report the abuse.

“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that those who exploit children by distributing child sexual abuse material will be held fully accountable,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp. “The pain these victims silently endure is immeasurable, and the FBI will relentlessly pursue anyone who preys on them.” Tapp specifically applauded the victim’s bravery in coming forward, stating her fortitude was critical to securing justice.

Beyond the prison sentence, Harris was ordered to pay $31,429.00 in restitution to the victim, attempting to recoup some of the financial damage inflicted. He will also be subject to lifetime supervised release following his incarceration. The investigation was spearheaded by the FBI San Antonio Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Gloff leading the prosecution.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the escalating epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project aims to marshal federal, state, and local resources to identify, apprehend, and prosecute offenders, while also rescuing victims. Anyone with information about child exploitation is urged to contact their local FBI office or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov. Further information on Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.

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