A Coast veteran who admitted to a child pornography addiction in court was sentenced in Harrison County Circuit Court on Monday.
Robert Wilson, Jr., pleaded guilty to child exploitation two weeks ago. During the court, Wilson admitted to viewing and downloading child pornography for the past 20 years.
“I would just like to say I feel incredibly remorseful and regretful for my actions and the impact it has had on society,” Wilson said at the sentencing hearing. “I hate that I brought this evil into this world.”
The case began with an undercover operation directed by Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s office, which investigated and prosecuted the case in collaboration with the Long Beach Police Department and the FBI.
“During our operation, we found thousands of images of child sexual abuse material stored on Wilson’s electronic devices,” stated Fitch. “We are devoted to keeping our children safe from online predators. I am grateful to the FBI and the Long Beach Police Department for their efforts to secure justice in this case and make the internet a little safer.”
In March 2025, state authorities raided Wilson’s Long Beach house. They seized a hard disk containing over 3,000 photographs and 21 videos of child sexual assault material.
Child exploitation attracts a maximum jail sentence of 40 years.
Gary Williams, a prosecutor from the State Attorney General’s Office, requested Wilson serve ten years in jail, day for day, followed by five years on probation. Williams stated that the lenient recommendation reflected Wilson’s cooperation and truthfulness throughout the investigation.
Wilson’s defense counsel, Sean Buckley, told Judge Lisa P. Dodson that his client had previously sought therapy for his child pornography addiction. Buckley told the judge that Wilson grew vulnerable when he stopped attending therapy.
“Your attorney used the word ‘vulnerable’ in talking about you,” Judge Dodson told Wilson. “You, sir, are not ‘vulnerable.’ The children were defenseless, and adults like you are responsible for their continued victimization. So, truthfully, my first thought was to give you the entire 40 years. I understand it is not fair since this is not, unfortunately, the worst case that this court has seen, and the top of the sentencing range is reserved for that.”
Judge Dodson sentenced Wilson to 18 years in prison, day by day, followed by five years on probation.
“This is the best compromise I can come up with in my own mind and, frankly, still live with it,” Dodson stated to Wilson. “When you are released, at least these children who you were viewing will be adults and hopefully able to protect themselves from people like you.”
Wilson was required to pay $1,000 to the Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund and $1,000 to the Mississippi Children’s Trust Fund. He must also register as a sex offender and avoid contact with anyone under the age of 18, including his own preteen son, unless another adult is present.
Anyone with knowledge about a child being sexually exploited online should contact 1-800-843-5678 or report it online at www.cybertipline.org.
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