An Itawamba County man has been sentenced to two decades in federal prison after investigators discovered he sexually assaulted a child in his care and produced images of the abuse, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on Thursday.
Keith Blake Clifton, 31, received a total sentence of 20 years — 15 years for the production of child sexual abuse material and five years for distribution. After his release, he will be subject to five years of supervised release, must register as a sex offender, and pay $66,500 in restitution to victims.
The case began when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted authorities that a user of a mobile messaging app was distributing child sexual abuse materials.
Investigators with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and the FBI traced the activity to Clifton. A forensic review of his devices uncovered more than 1,000 images, including material involving infants and toddlers.
Clifton later admitted to sexually abusing a child in his care and photographing the assault. He also faces a separate state indictment in Itawamba County, where charges remain pending.
U.S. Attorney Scott Leary condemned the crimes in a statement, calling Clifton’s actions “abhorrent” and emphasizing the office’s commitment to protecting vulnerable victims.
Attorney General Lynn Fitch also highlighted the lasting trauma inflicted on victims and the importance of collaborative efforts to secure justice.
“Child sexual abuse is a horrific crime that does extraordinary physical, mental, and emotional damage to the victim. And when it is recorded or photographed, that child’s trauma occurs over and over again,” Fitch said. “We are proud to work with our federal, state, and local partners to help these victims achieve justice and closure, and help protect other children from abuse.”
The prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative focused on combating child exploitation.
