An Iuka, Mississippi man has been sentenced to over eight years in federal prison after being convicted of possessing child sexual abuse materials. According to court documents, 29-year-old Sydney Briggs began uploading child pornography through a popular mobile application in October 2023. Authorities said he used advanced computer software in an attempt to avoid detection.
Investigators discovered more than 19,000 images and videos on Briggs’ electronic devices, many involving infants and toddlers. In addition to receiving a sentence of 97 months in prison, Briggs will be subject to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender following his release. The court also ordered $28,000 in restitution for eight victims who sought compensation.
“There is no excuse, justification or mitigation for Briggs’s crimes, which are not victimless - he downloaded and kept thousands of absolutely horrific images of helpless children being violently sexually abused, and he should be in prison for as long as it is possible to put him there,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “I cannot say enough about the continuing collaboration by the FBI, the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, and AUSA Parker King that is daily taking the fight to those who want to harm our children.”
Attorney General Lynn Fitch also commented on the outcome: “I am grateful to our partners at the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office for their work with our Cyber Crime investigators to secure this sentence. Together, we were able to successfully stop a predator from doing more harm. But our most important partner is the concerned citizen who reports suspected abuse. If you suspect it, report it. Your tip can be the key to a successful prosecution like this one.”
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jackson Field Office Robert Eikhoff added: “Behind the 19,000 images and videos are real children who were robbed of their innocence. Protecting children and holding vile predators, like Sydney Briggs, accountable are at the top of the FBI’s priorities for crushing violent crime. The FBI's Jackson Field Office and the MS Attorney General's Office will continue to work shoulder to shoulder in our tireless pursuit to unmask and prosecute predators who believe ultramodern technology can shield their evil deeds from justice.”
The investigation was conducted by both the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Parker S. King prosecuted this case under Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices alongside other federal agencies—to address child exploitation online through coordinated resources across all levels of government. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
