BILOXI MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR LURING CHILD

Gulfport, Mississippi - United States Attorney Dunn Lampton announced today that Tim Barrett, of Biloxi Mississippi, has been sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for using the internet to lure a child.

Barrett plead guilty on October 10, 2007 to one count of knowingly initiating the transmission of the name and telephone number of a child under 16 for the purpose of soliciting the child to engage in sexual activity. Barrett met the child over the internet and later met the child at her home in Biloxi while her parents were away. U.S. District Judge Walter J. Gex III, sentenced Barrett to five years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. Barrett must also make restitution to the victim's family in the amount of $14,269.41. The case was investigated by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Scott Gilbert.