A Byhalia man will spend 15 years behind bars for a graphic video involving a child on the internet.
According to court documents, 29-year-old Thomas Taylor was identified as part of Operation Renewed Hope, an action spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations to identify victims and perpetrators of known child sexual exploitation videos.
Taylor admitted to using a video chat mobile application to communicate on live video with others over the web. While on video, Taylor masturbated and revealed a minor’s genitals and anus to the audience. A recording was made of the incident which has appeared in other investigations related to trafficking of child sexual abuse materials.
“Minor victims of sexual abuse and exploitation often face a lifetime of far-reaching consequences as a result of the reprehensible acts committed by their perpetrators,” U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner said. “This office is committed to holding accountable those individuals who sexually exploit minors and we appreciate the outstanding work by HSI and AUSA King to do just that.”
The Department of Homeland Security investigated the case. Taylor will spend five years of supervised release following his prison stint.
