Walker County Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Children

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - A Walker County man has been sentenced for committing child exploitation crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr.

U.S. District Court Judge Annmarie C. Axon sentenced Larry King, II, 29, of Quinton, Alabama, to 600 months in prison followed by a life term of supervised release. In March, King pleaded guilty to attempted sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography.

"Protecting children and aggressively prosecuting those who seek to exploit them is a top priority of my office," said U.S. Attorney Williams. "This 50-year sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant's conduct and ensures he will spend decades in prison, where he will no longer have the opportunity to prey upon our most vulnerable - our children. I commend our prosecutors, and the agents with HSI and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency for their dedication to investigate and prosecute these horrific crimes and hold the defendants accountable."

"Crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children are among the most disturbing and damaging offenses HSI investigates," said Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. "This 50-year sentence sends a clear message that those who prey on children, trade in child sexual abuse material, or use online platforms to exploit minors will be identified, investigated, and brought to justice. HSI is proud to stand with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and all our law enforcement partners in the continued fight to protect children and hold offenders accountable."

According to the plea agreement, on March 19, 2024, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Snapchat, a social media provider, reported to NCMEC that King had shared an image of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). During the investigation, ALEA learned King was at a residence in Quinton, so on May 9, 2024, ALEA executed a search warrant on that residence. The agents seized King's cell phone and Xbox gaming system. A forensic examination of King's cell phone revealed 798 images and 988 videos of CSAM.

Agents also discovered Telegram chats between King and a minor female. In the chats, King attempted to purchase videos of child pornography from the minor and sent $15 to the minor's CashApp account. King did not receive the requested video although the payment was made. There were other Telegram chats between King and a second individual that related to King's purchase of Mega links containing suspected CSAM. Additionally, a Snapchat conversation of a sexual nature was located between King and a presumed 16-year-old female.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

If you suspect or become aware of the possible sexual exploitation of a child, please contact law enforcement. Reports can also be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or online at www.cybertipline.orgLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

Homeland Security Investigations, Birmingham, investigated the case along with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Assistant United States Attorneys R. Leann White and Sara Judah prosecuted the case.