Jackson, MS – On August 25, 2026, a Pearl River man pleaded guilty to Production of Child Pornography.U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger and Robert Eickhoff, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Jackson Office made the announcement.According to court documents, Eli Joe, 22, knowingly enticed or coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct that were sent to Joe using the internet. Joe is scheduled to be sentenced on January 12, 2027, and faces not less than 15 years up to 30 years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.United States Attorney Kruger commended the work of the Choctaw Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Trails Task Force, who investigated the case. The Safe Trails Task Force is comprised of officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Choctaw Police Department, Neshoba County Sheriff’s Department, and various state and local law enforcement agencies.Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Payne, Brian K. Burns and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kalleigh McCoy prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice