BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Justin Warren Lindstrom, 43, of Sterrett, Alabama, will spend the next decade behind bars after being sentenced for attempting to sexually exploit a minor. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala, reflects the gravity of his crimes: attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, alongside possession of deeply disturbing child pornography.
Lindstrom received 120 months in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He pleaded guilty in April to the charges stemming from a November 2023 sting operation. Crucially, this conviction will trigger mandatory registration as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act – a permanent marker of his predatory behavior.
“Thanks to the collaborative efforts or our dedicated law enforcement partners and prosecutors, we have removed yet another child predator from our community,” stated U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona. “Today’s sentence ensures he can no longer pose a threat to our most vulnerable – our children. My office remains committed to protecting children and holding those who seek to harm them fully accountable.”
The details of the case are chilling. In November 2023, Vestavia Hills police, working in conjunction with the FBI, deployed an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old girl on a social media platform. Lindstrom responded to the advertisement and arranged a meeting at a park in Vestavia Hills with the intent to engage in a sexual act with what he believed was a minor. Officers swiftly intervened, conducting a traffic stop and arresting Lindstrom at the scene. A subsequent search warrant revealed a trove of child pornography stored within his email accounts – digital evidence cementing his depravity.
“This sentencing confirms that the FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to protect our children from predators who seek to exploit them,” said David R. Fitzgibbons, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Birmingham. “Together, we have ensured one less predator is victimizing the most innocent and vulnerable members of our community.” This case underscores the increasing prevalence of online predation and the vital role law enforcement plays in disrupting these heinous acts.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the Department of Justice since 2006. The project aims to combat the escalating epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state, and local resources. If you suspect child exploitation, report it immediately. Contact the FBI Birmingham Office at 205-326-6166, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), or submit a report online at www.cybertipline.org. The FBI, Vestavia Hills Police Department, and Homewood Police Department all contributed to the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. McBrayer leading the prosecution.
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Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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