Attorney General Jim Hood has announced that 24-year old Nicholas Whittington was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison after being arrested back in August for possession of child pornography.
Whittington, from Hazelhurst, was sentenced to 40 years in prison, with ten years to serve and 30 years post-release supervision. He was arrested at his home after the Attorney General’s Cyber Crime Unit received a tip regarding his online activity from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
A release from the Attorney General’s office stated that investigators found multiple videos in his possession of girls being forced to have sex, ranging in age from toddler to pre-teen.
AG Hood said that the conviction sends a statement that they will find those who harm Mississippi’s children.
“There is no safe space for people who think it’s okay to sexually harm our children,” said General Hood. “I’m glad Judge Pickard is sending this man to prison where he belongs.”
Upon his release, Whittington must register as a sex offender. He must also pay a $1,000 fines to the Mississippi Crime Victim Compensation Fund and the Children’s Trust Fund.