Thomas W. Faircloth Sentenced For Distribution Of Child Pornography

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that Thomas W. Faircloth, aged 37, of Cairo, Georgia, was sentenced by the Honorable W. Louis Sands, U.S. District Court Judge, in Albany, Georgia on October 20, 2014, in connection with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography.

Mr. Faircloth was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison, to be followed by lifetime supervision.  He will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”).

Mr. Faircloth admitted that on November 13, 2012, he distributed 22 still images and 17 video files, containing depictions of child pornography, to an undercover FBI agent, using the program Gigatribe.  During the execution of a search warrant on February 18, 2013, many thousands of images and video files of child pornography, including those of very young children, were found on a laptop computer in Mr. Faircloth’s possession. The images were transported in interstate and foreign commerce using the internet. When interviewed by FBI agents, Mr. Faircloth admitted to receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography.

“As we strive every day to protect our children from even the slightest harm, we must remain mindful of those individuals who victimize innocent children over and over again distributing horrific depictions of child pornography by way of the internet.  We will continue to use our law enforcement resources to make sure that we catch these offenders and bring them to the justice they deserve,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Moore.

J. Britt Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated: “The children depicted in these images are re-victimized each time those images are re-distributed by individuals such as Mr. Faircloth.  The FBI will continue to provide significant investigative resources toward identifying and presenting for prosecution those individuals who would exploit our nation’s children in such a manner.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Jim Crane is prosecuting the case for the Government.

Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.