MS Coast man who lost his phone headed to prison for child sex crimes he recorded
A Vancleave man will serve 40 years day-for-day in prison following his conviction on three counts of sexual battery and 11 counts of child exploitation.
Jackson County Circuit Judge Keith Miller sentenced Brett Lee Robinson, 35, on Thursday.
The judge sentenced him to a total of 60 years in prison, but suspended all but the 40 years to serve and ordered him to serve the remainder of the sentence on post-release supervision. In addition, Robinson will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
An investigation began after someone left a cellphone at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department with a note attached that read, “Found phone. Please investigate photos and email, etc. !!!!!”
Authorities searched the phone and found various images and videos of child sex abuse material, ultimately leading investigators to identify the phone’s owner as Robinson.
In the videos, Jackson County prosecutors said authorities found pictures and videos of Robinson engaged in sex acts with three children, all between the ages of 4 and 6.
Once authorities confronted Robinson, he admitted sexually abusing the children.
“This 40-year, day-for-day sentence protects children by ensuring that this defendant will never again have the opportunity to harm a child,” said Assistant District Attorney Bill Barrett, who prosecuted the case. “Because of the guilty plea, the victims were spared the trauma of taking the stand and reliving these horrific events, and they can now begin the long and necessary process of healing.”
District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath added: “Any crime involving harm to a child strikes at the heart of our community. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who exploit and abuse children and will remain unwavering in our commitment to protecting them.”
