A Conehatta man has been sentenced to over 24 years in federal prison for sexually abusing a minor on the Choctaw Indian Reservation. The sentence was handed down on January 13, 2025.
Court documents reveal that Brett Keith Thomas, aged 28, committed the abuse against a child under twelve years old in 2016. Thomas faced indictment by a federal grand jury in July 2023 and entered a guilty plea in June 2024.
The announcement of the sentencing was made by U.S. Attorney Todd Gee alongside Robert Eikhoff, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Jackson Office. The investigation was conducted by the Choctaw Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Prosecutors Kevin J. Payne and Brian K. Burns from the U.S. Attorney's office handled the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. It involves collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies to locate offenders who exploit children online and rescue victims. More information can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.