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Description: Opelika, Alabama criminal law lawyer represented Defendant charged with sexual exploitation of children.
An investigation began in September 2020 when law enforcement in Dallas, Texas became aware of sexually explicit images—images that appeared to include minors— being shared through a messaging app called Kik. FBI agents in Texas were able to trace the origin of the messages back to Smiths Station and Brandon Thomas Hart, age 33, from Smith's Station, Alabama, was identified as a potential suspect. Further investigation by the Lee County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office and the FBI confirmed those suspicions. In his plea agreement, Hart specifically admitted to inducing two minors under the age of 18 to engage in sexually explicit conduct for him to photograph. Hart also admitted that he recorded explicit images of the two minors while they were not conscious and distributed the images online using Kik.
On June 29, 2022, Hart pleaded guilty to the charges. Three months later, on September 30, Hart received the 38-year sentence. Following his prison sentence, Hart will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life and will be required to register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system. Related state charges remain pending.
This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted the case.
18:2251(a) & (e): SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN/FORFEITURE ALLEGATIONS
(1)
Outcome: Defendant was sentenced to 360 mos. cs w/Ct. 2 up to 456 Mos. Impr.; Life SR cc w/Ct. 2; $6,100.40 Rest.; $100 SA (Sentence to run cc with any term imposed in related state court case in Lee County Circuit Court, Docket No. CC-2021-409)
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