Hattiesburg man sentenced to 90 years for child exploitation

Published 1:54 pm Friday, December 12, 2025

Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced Friday the recent sentencing of Erret Jae James Jr. of Hattiesburg, for one count of Distribution of Child Sexual Exploitation Material and two counts of Possession of Child Sexual Exploitation Material. This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, with assistance from the Hattiesburg Police Department and the Forrest County Sheriff’s Department.

Erret Jae James Jr.

“Our incredible team of investigators and prosecutors is committed to holding individuals who exploit children accountable for their crimes,” said Fitch. “I am grateful to our local partners for their assistance in this case. If you suspect a child is being exploited or abused, please report it to my office. Your tip could save a life, and together, we can make Mississippi a safer place for everyone.”

Following a jury trial, on Dec. 9, Forrest County Circuit Court Judge Wes Curry IV sentenced James to serve 90 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. James will be required to serve his sentence day-for-day without the possibility of parole.

This case originated with a Cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Anyone with information about a child being sexually exploited online can report it to 1-800-843-5678 or make a report online at www.cybertipline.org. The hotline is manned by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and tips are reported to the Attorney General’s Office, which runs the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for Mississippi.