HATTIESBURG, MS—Miles Justin McNairy, 25, of Aberdeen, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett on January 20, 2015 to 80 months in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis, FBI Special in Charge Donald Alway and Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood. Upon completion of his prison sentence, McNairy must register as a sex offender.

At the time of his arrest, McNairy was a student at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. He was charged with downloading and sharing images of child pornography which he had transported to Hattiesburg from his home in Aberdeen. He pled guilty to the charges on October 17, 2014.

“There is no more noble calling than protecting our children”, said Donald Alway, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi. “Cases like this one underscore our resolve to decrease the vulnerability of our youth to sexual exploitation. The success of this investigation and prosecution by the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is evidenced by the significant sentence rendered against this subject. Partnerships among law enforcement agencies, such as this one between the FBI and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, have never been stronger. We work collectively as a team, and are dedicated to protecting Mississippi’s children.”

“Cases like this one exemplify why we are glad to be a part of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, and shows how joining forces produces positive results,” said Attorney General Jim Hood.

This case was investigated by FBI Child Exploitation Task Force which includes the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office with assistance from the University of Southern Mississippi Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda R. Haynes.

Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May, 2006, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Through Project Safe Childhood, federal, state and local law enforcement officials have formed partnerships to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.