Aug. 14, 2025 – An Iuka man has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison after being caught with over 19,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse, many involving infants and toddlers.
Sydney Briggs, 29, was sentenced to 97 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Michael P. Mills also ordered Briggs to pay $28,000 in restitution to eight victims. Upon his release, Briggs will be required to register as a sex offender.
Briggs had been using sophisticated software since at least October 2023 to upload the illicit material to a popular mobile application while attempting to avoid detection. The case was investigated by the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Parker S. King prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation.
Officials from multiple agencies spoke out about the case.
Officials Condemn Briggs’ Actions
“There is no excuse, justification or mitigation for Briggs’s crimes, which are not victimless,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “He downloaded and kept thousands of absolutely horrific images of helpless children being violently sexually abused, and he should be in prison for as long as it is possible to put him there.”
Attorney General Lynn Fitch commended the collaboration between her office, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, stating it successfully stopped a predator from doing more harm. She also emphasized the importance of public involvement.
“Our most important partner is the concerned citizen who reports suspected abuse,” Fitch said. “If you suspect it, report it. Your tip can be the key to a successful prosecution like this one.”
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jackson Field Office Robert Eikhoff highlighted the human cost behind the crime. “Behind the 19,000 images and videos are real children who were robbed of their innocence,” Eikhoff said. “Protecting children and holding vile predators, like Sydney Briggs, accountable are at the top of the FBI’s priorities.”
How to Report Child Sexual Exploitation
Project Safe Childhood, led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children online.
If you have information about child sexual exploitation, you can report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or by visiting their website. All tips can be made anonymously.
