Timothy Lee Highfield, a resident of Morrilton, Arkansas, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for the production of child sexual abuse material. This was announced by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The sentence was delivered by Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker.
Highfield, aged 46, was indicted on June 8, 2022, by a federal grand jury on one count of producing child pornography. He pleaded guilty to this charge on January 9, 2024. In addition to his prison sentence, Highfield will face a lifetime of supervised release following his incarceration. It is noted that there is no parole available in the federal system.
The case originated on December 17, 2021, when a citizen handed over a phone containing child sexual abuse material to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Upon investigation, it was determined that the phone had previously belonged to Highfield. The FBI's search revealed a video made by Highfield depicting a minor performing oral sex on him. Additionally, multiple videos and images involving child sexual abuse and adults engaging in sexual acts with minors were found on the device.
The FBI conducted the investigation into these activities. Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Bryant prosecuted the case against Highfield.