LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Miss.–Producing and distributing child pornography are the charges against David Rhyne, an inmate at East Miss. Correctional Facility in Lauderdale County, and Stephanie Rascoe, of Dearborn, Mich., who visits Mississippi and was arrested in Lee County.
The images that were texted between the two may have involved a two-year-old child, said police.
Attorney Gen. Jim Hood said his Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force got involved after Michigan authorities turned over their investigation into the text messages between Rascoe, 44, and Rhyne, 33, who is already in prison for sexual battery.
Hood said the victim was occasionally babysat by Rascoe.
“This case is the epitome of the work we do with our federal partners and our ICAC partners on a daily basis, “ said Hood. “We greatly appreciate the work of the FBI, the U.S. Attorneys Office, the Mississippi Department of Corrections, the Lee County Sheriff’s Department and the Ecorse and Dearborne Michigan Police Departments on this case.”
Both could get 20 years if they are convicted on the production of child pornography charges and another 15 on the distribution charges. Rhyne faces up to 15 years for possession and an additional 10 years for being a convicted felon, said Hood.
