Date: 07-21-2018

Case Style:

Case Number: 3:17-cr-00110-TSL-FKB

Judge: Tom S. Lee

Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi (Hinds County)

Plaintiff's Attorney:

Defendant's Attorney: Jessica Nicole Bourne and S. Dennis Joiner - FPD

Description: Jackson, MS - Jackson Man Sentenced to Over 17 Years in Federal Prison for Production and Possession of Child Pornography

Michael Gene Rushing, 58, of Jackson, was sentenced on July 19, 2018 by Senior U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee to 210 months to serve, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for producing child pornography and possession of child pornography, announced U. S. Attorney Mike Hurst, FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze and Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood.

Sometime before August 30, 2017, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office (AG), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had been investigating Wholesale Auto Parts, located at 950 S. Gallatin Street in Jackson, for trading prescription narcotics for heroin with nurses. Periodic surveillance and other investigations revealed that Michael Gene Rushing had also been trading illicit drugs for sex with juveniles.

On August 30, 2017, state officers and federal agents executed a state search warrant at the Wholesale Auto Parts where agents seized electronic devices and illicit drugs. The forensic examination conducted on the devices revealed the presence of videos and images of child pornography. Michael Gene Rushing had been video recording himself engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a minor as young as 13 years at the business on numerous occasions.

"These criminal actions are some of the most despicable and heinous crimes in our society. We will marshal all of the resources and power of all levels of law enforcement to make sure individuals like this Defendant who prey upon our young people are not only brought to justice but also severely punished for harming our children," said U.S. Attorney Hurst.

"Child exploitation is a debilitating and degrading crime that has no place in our society," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Freeze. "In our ongoing mission to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States, the preservation of minors' rights and safety is of utmost importance to the FBI. This successful prosecution is a direct result of the strong partnerships between the FBI, U.S. Attorney's Office, Mississippi Attorney General's Office, DEA and Rankin County Sheriff's Office."

“This is a sick man, and I thank Judge Lee for placing him as far away from other children as possible,” said Attorney General Jim Hood. “It took the work of many agencies to get this pervert behind bars, and I thank them all for their dedication to protecting the lives of Mississippi’s children.”

A restitution hearing for this case will be held before Judge Lee in Jackson on August 30, 2018.

The case was investigated by the FBI Jackson Division's Child Exploitation Task Force, which is made up of agents from the FBI and the Mississippi Attorney General's Office, and officers from the Prentiss County Sheriff's Office. The DEA, MBN and Rankin County Sheriff's Office also assisted with the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda Haynes.

Counts:

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF MINORS
(1)
SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN
(1s) 210 months imprisonment, concurrent; life term supervised release, concurrent; $1500 partial fine; $100 special assessment per count
ACTIVITIES RE MATERIAL CONSTITUTING/CONTAINING CHILD PORNO
(2-4)
POSSESSION OF CHILD PORN
(2s) 210 months imprisonment, concurrent; life term supervised release, concurrent; $1500 partial fine; $100 special assessment per count

Outcome: 07/19/2018 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Tom S. Lee:Sentencing held on 7/19/2018 for Michael Gene Rushing (1), Count(s) 1s, 2s. PSI adopted in full. Sentenced to 210 months imprisonment, concurrent; life term supervised release, concurrent; $1500 partial fine; $100 special assessment per count; Count(s) 3s-4s, dismissed. Final forfeiture order to be entered. Restitution hearing to be held at a later date. Remanded to custody. Court Reporter/Transcriber Cherie Bond, Telephone Number : 601-608-4186. (LWE) (Entered: 07/20/2018)
07/20/2018 41 PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION REPORT (Sealed) as to Michael Gene Rushing (Attachments: # 1addendum to PSI, # 2 Defendant's objections to PSI, # 3 character letter)(LWE) (Entered: 07/20/2018)
07/20/2018 42 FINAL ORDER granting 40 Motion for Forfeiture of Property as to Michael Gene Rushing (1). Signed by District Judge Tom S. Lee on 7/19/18 (LWE) (Entered: 07/20/2018)
07/20/2018 43 EXHIBIT LIST - Exhibits to sentencing hearing held 7/19/18 - EXHIBITS FILED UNDER SEAL (LWE) (Entered: 07/20/2018)

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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