Michael Jerome Elder, a 50-year-old resident of Mobile, Alabama, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for distributing child pornography. Elder pleaded guilty to the charge on January 16, 2025.
The investigation began when a Mobile County Sheriff's Office deputy used law enforcement software to identify individuals with a sexual interest in children within the Southern District of Alabama. The deputy discovered an IP address sharing numerous files of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and traced it back to Elder's residence. A search warrant led investigators to find a hidden cell phone containing CSAM at his home.
Elder had previously been convicted on five counts of possessing obscene material involving minors under Alabama Code 13-A-012-0192(B). He was released from custody for that offense on November 15, 2022, less than a year before being caught distributing child pornography again.
Judge DuBose handed down the sentence of 180 months in prison along with a 15-year term of supervised release following incarceration. During imprisonment, Elder will undergo sex offender treatment, substance abuse testing and treatment, and mental health treatment. Upon release, he must register as a sex offender and avoid contact with minors. Additionally, he was ordered to pay $5,100 in special assessments.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and Mobile County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kacey Chappelear and Tandice Blackwood prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. It coordinates federal, state, and local resources to apprehend offenders and rescue victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood or Internet safety education resources visit www.usdoj.gov/psc or https://www.justice.gov/psc/publications-resources