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Date: 08-11-2023
Case Style:
Case Number: 5:21-cr-00265
Judge: Liles C. Burke
Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (Madison County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office in Huntsville
Defendant's Attorney: Bruce Gardner for Powell
Description: Huntsville, Alabama criminal defense lawyers represented Defendants charged with sexual exploitation of children.
Jeremy Michael Lee Powell, 25, of Athens, was sentenced to 600 months in prison followed by lifetime of supervised release. In April 2023, Powell pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography. According to court documents, Powell befriended the minor children’s mother and engaged in sexual acts with her seven- and eight-year-old children. Powell told the children to keep it a secret. Powell knew the mother needed childcare assistance, so he conveniently offered to assist with the children while the mother worked. Powell also took full advantage of the fact that the children’s father was not in contact with them and swayed the children into calling him “da-da.” Law enforcement discovered 47 sexually explicit images involving the children on Powell’s cell phone.
Becky Lynn Burroughs, 46, of Decatur was sentenced to 260 months in prison followed by lifetime of supervised release. Burroughs pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography on April 27, 2023. According to the plea agreement, Florida investigators identified an account distributing child pornography in an internet chatroom. Investigation revealed that the account belonged to Burroughs. Between March 2021 and September 2021, Burroughs uploaded at least 11 videos, as well as numerous images, of child pornography to the internet. On September 1, 2021, a search warrant was obtained for Burrough’s residence in Decatur, Alabama, and agents seized Burrough’s phone. A forensic review of the cell phone located 10 child sex abuse images and videos.
“The sexual abuse and commercial exploitation of children is among the most serious crimes prosecuted by my office,” U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “The creation and distribution of digital images of child sexual abuse perpetuates a criminal industry that is incredibly destructive to both the victims and consumers of this material. The prosecution of these defendants is part of the ongoing commitment of my office, and that of our federal, state, and local partners, to identify and prosecute child predators. I am grateful for the work of all involved in bringing these two defendants to justice.”
“Finding and arresting predators involved in victimizing and exploiting children is one of our highest priorities,” said Acting Special Agent in charge Travis Pickard who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “These sentences are a testament to HSI’s and its law enforcement partner’s commitment to protecting our most vulnerable population from exploitation as well as holding those violators accountable.”
HSI - Birmingham investigated the Jeremy Powell case, along with the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. Leann White, Daniel McBrayer, and William McComb prosecuted Powell.
HSI – Birmingham investigated the Becky Burroughs case, along with HSI – Tallahassee, the Leon County, Florida Sheriff’s Office, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney John M. Hundscheid prosecuted Burroughs.
18:2251(a) and (e) SELLING OR BUYING OF CHILDREN
(1)
18:2251(a) and (e) SELLING OR BUYING OF CHILDREN
(3)
Outcome: Powell: CBP 300 mos as to count 3 sep and consec to count 1; SRT Life; No Fine; AF $200.00; Dft remanded to custody of USM.
08/08/2023 78 TRANSMITTAL LETTER TO USCA re 77 Notice of Appeal - Final Judgment filed by Jeremy Michael Lee Powell. (KWC, ) (Entered: 08/08/2023)
08/08/2023 79 Transmission of Notice of Appeal and Docket Sheet as to Jeremy Michael Lee Powell to US Court of Appeals re 77 Notice of Appeal - Final Judgment. (KWC, ) (Entered: 08/08/2023)
08/08/2023 80 MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Bruce A. Gardner. by Jeremy Michael Lee Powell. (Gardner, Bruce) (Entered: 08/08/2023)
08/08/2023 USCA Case Number as to Jeremy Michael Lee Powell 23-12565-B for 77 Notice of Appeal - Final Judgment filed by Jeremy Michael Lee Powell. (KBB) (Entered: 08/08/2023)
Burroughs: CBP 240 mos as to count 1,2,3 and 5 sep and concur w/ 20 mos of count 2 to run consec for a total term of 260 mos; SRT LIFE w/ spec conds; No Fine; AF $400.00; Dft remanded to custody of USM.
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Defendant's Experts:
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