A Mississippi man has been sentenced in federal court for attempting to receive materials involving the sexual exploitation of minors. Avery Freel, 23, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, was sentenced on August 21, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon after pleading guilty to the charge.
According to court documents, the investigation began when a special agent from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted an online operation. On July 19, 2023, within the Eastern District of Louisiana, Freel communicated with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl through an online messaging application. Freel identified himself as a 21-year-old from Ocean Springs and suggested further communication on another platform. Over several days in late July 2023, Freel asked for sexually explicit images from the individual he believed was a minor. He traveled from Ocean Springs to Hammond, Louisiana on July 27, where HSI agents arrested him.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state and local resources. More information about this initiative can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Freel received a sentence of sixty months in prison followed by eight years of supervised release. He must also pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee and register as a sex offender under federal law.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson stated: “AVERY FREEL (“FREEL”),age 23, of Ocean Springs, MS, was sentenced on August 21, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon, after previously pleading guilty to the Attempted Receipt of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors,in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B) and (b)(2), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office acknowledged assistance from Homeland Security Investigations as well as local police departments in Louisiana during this case’s investigation and prosecution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba led the prosecution.
