Sean P. Costello U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama
Jason Todd Topping, age 53, was sentenced on March 20 to 168 months in prison for receiving child pornography, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and federal prosecutors to address crimes involving the exploitation of minors. The investigation began after a concerned citizen reported suspicions about Topping’s conduct at Mobile Police Department Headquarters. Authorities seized Topping’s cell phone and discovered videos showing him engaging in sexual activity with a minor who was confirmed to be between the ages of 16 and 17 when the videos were made.
According to court documents, these videos were created on the minor's phone and then sent to Topping at his request. Following his guilty plea entered on December 19, 2025, United States District Judge Kristi DuBose imposed a sentence that includes not only imprisonment but also a supervised release term of fifteen years upon his release from custody.
Topping will be required to undergo sex offender treatment and mental health treatment while incarcerated. He must register as a sex offender after release and is prohibited from having contact with minors. Additionally, he was ordered to pay $100 in special assessments.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Mobile Police Department conducted the investigation into this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kacey Chappelear prosecuted it on behalf of the United States.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide.
