Pineville Predator: Jeffus Gets 5 Years for Child Porn

ALEXANDRIA, La. – George Jeffus, 73, of Pineville, Louisiana, will spend the next five years in federal prison after being sentenced Thursday for possessing horrific images and videos of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell handed down the 60-month sentence, along with three years of supervised release and mandatory sex offender registration.

The case began to unravel in December 2016 when Pineville authorities received a disturbing report: Jeffus was allegedly viewing child pornography on his home computer. A subsequent search of his residence confirmed the worst. Investigators seized 136 images and five video files depicting the sexual abuse of children, all stored on electronic devices within Jeffus’s home.

Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook didn’t mince words about the severity of the crime. “The possession of child pornography is a particularly vile offense,” Van Hook stated. “We will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute those who exploit and endanger children.” The investigation was a collaborative effort, spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Pineville Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog led the prosecution, presenting the evidence that secured Jeffus’s conviction following his guilty plea on December 5, 2016. The sentencing is part of a larger national initiative known as Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice program dedicated to combating the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Project Safe Childhood brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to identify, apprehend, and prosecute predators who use the internet to prey on children. The program also focuses on rescuing victims and providing them with the support they desperately need. Information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

If you suspect child exploitation or abuse, authorities urge you to come forward. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) operate a 24/7 toll-free hotline at (866) 347-2423. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp or through the Operation Predator smartphone application available at www.ice.gov/predator/smartphone-app. Don’t look the other way – a child’s life may depend on it.