Jackson, MS—A Meridian resident will spend 10 years behind bars for distribution of child porn and child exploitation, announced Attorney General Jim Hood today.
 
Sean Rowell, age 27, of Meridian, appeared before Judge Lester Williamson in Lauderdale County Circuit Court Thursday and pleaded guilty to one count of gratification of lust and one count of possession of child porn.

Judge Williamson sentenced Rowell on the gratification of lust charge to 10 years, 10 years to serve in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.  He must also pay $1,000 to the Mississippi Children’s Trust Fund, court costs and register as a sex offender.  Rowell admitted to molesting a girl under the age of 18 with whom he was related.  The Judge ordered that he could no longer have contact with the victim or her immediate family.  On the charge of child exploitation, for possessing pictures of children under the age of 18 performing sexual acts that he obtained from the internet, Rowell was charged with 30 years, 30 suspended and five years post release supervision to run consecutive with the gratification of lust sentencing.  He must also pay another $1,000 to the Mississippi Children’s Trust Fund.

“This sentence means the defendant will spend the next 10 years of his life in prison, and when he gets out he will have another 25 years hanging over his head,“said Attorney General Hood.  “We can only pray that time will bring about healing for his victim.”

This case was investigated by Crystal Tillman and prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General Marvin Sanders of the Attorney General’s Public Integrity Division.