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Crime & Courts

Alabama Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation Crimes

Justin William Gifford was sentenced in federal court following a multi-agency online exploitation investigation.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 20, 2026, 8:49 a.m. ET
According to official U.S. Attorney's Office records released on August 7, 2026, Justin William Gifford, 26, of Enterprise, Alabama, was to 10 years in federal prison followed by a five-year period of supervised release. Gifford was previously convicted by a federal jury in Tallahassee of one count of attempted enticement of a minor, one count of attempted transfer of obscene material to minors, and one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Official court records state that Gifford was identified in June 2025 during a multi-agency operation after responding to an online advertisement on a website known for escort services. Over two days, Gifford engaged in sexually explicit text and phone conversations with an undercover investigator posing as a 15-year-old child, sent an explicit photo, and traveled from Enterprise to Panama City Beach to meet the child. He was electronically tracked and arrested at the agreed location, where forensic analysis of his phone verified the communications and obscene image. United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced the sentence, stating: "Our state and federal law enforcement partners are relentless in their pursuit of sexual predators, like this defendant, who seek to exploit and victimize kids online, and my office will continue to match their efforts with aggressive prosecutions to send these sick offenders to federal prison." Sheriff Tommy Ford also commented, stating: "Our message to anyone who preys on children is simple: don't." The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Panama City Beach Police Department, the Bay County Sheriff's Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K Mountin under Project Safe Childhood.

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  1. Version 120 Aug 2026, 12:49current

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