AG announces sentencing of two for child exploitation and abuse

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On Wednesday, Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced the sentencing of two individuals. Both were prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office on charges of child exploitation and abuse.

Eric Michael Gregory of Grenada County faced Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Joseph H. Loper on Sep. 27. Gregory was sentenced to 35 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC). Of this sentence, he is required to serve 25 years, day for day, on the charge of Sexual Battery of a Child Under the Age of 14. Upon release, Gregory faces an additional five years of supervised probation and mandatory registration as a sex offender.

On Sep. 28, Charles Clifton Walters of Booneville was sentenced by Prentiss County Circuit Court Judge John R. White. Walters received a 20-year sentence in MDOC custody with five years to serve, day for day, for the Exploitation of a Child due to possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Additionally, Walters faced charges of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. After his incarceration, Walters will undergo five years of post-release supervision and will also be required to register as a sex offender. Walters’ case was initiated from a tip provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The subsequent investigation by General Fitch’s Cyber Crime Division revealed Walters’ possession of 53 CSAM images. He was also discovered to be a felon possessing a firearm during the execution of a residential search warrant.

Attorney General Lynn Fitch commented on the gravity of the crimes, saying in a press release, “These crimes rob a child of their innocence and cause great trauma. While these convictions cannot turn back the clock, I am grateful that justice has been served. My team will continue to work tirelessly to identify, investigate and prosecute child predators.”

For those with information regarding child sexual exploitation, it can be reported to the 24/7 hotline, 1-800-843-5678, managed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Reports are directed to the Attorney General’s Office. Online reports can also be made at www.cybertipline.org.