Jackson, MS - A Clarke County resident is going to prison for possession of child pornography, announced Attorney General Jim Hood today.

Joseph Stockman, age 35, of Enterprise appeared today before Judge Robert W. Bailey in Clarke County Circuit Court after entering an open plea to one count exploitation of a child.  Judge Bailey sentenced Stockman to ten years, six suspended, four to serve in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.  Stockman was also ordered to pay $2,000 in fines ($50,000 with $48,000 suspended), serve five years post release supervision and must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

“A cybertip from AOL helped us catch this defendant emailing child porn,” said Attorney General Hood.  “I hope this will serve as a warning to others in our state who are doing the same thing.”

The case was investigated jointly by the Attorney General’s Cyber Crime Unit/ Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office in Washington State.  Stockman had originally provided AOL with a false zip code that indicated he was residing in Washington State.  When further investigation revealed the defendant lived in Mississippi, Spokane County authorities turned the investigation over to the Mississippi Attorney General’s Cyber Crime Unit.

Clarke County Sheriff Todd Kemp and his officers assisted Attorney General investigators with the defendant’s initial arrest. 

“Our ICAC network is extensive and helps law enforcement throughout our state and nationwide in the fight against child pornography,” said Attorney General Hood.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General Brandon Ogburn.