NEW ORLEANS — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)), published as received.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that SIMON PAUL ADAMS, age 27, a resident of Thibodaux, La., pled guilty on February 21, 2024 before United States District Judge Lance M. Africk to possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B). 

According to court documents, on multiple dates, including, on or about October 15, 2022, December 14, 2022, and January 19, 2023, Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) agents  investigated the sharing of digital files depicting the sexual exploitation of children via a peer-to-peer file sharing network. Agents downloaded a series of files depicting the sexual exploitation of children, from an IP address connected to a residence in Thibodaux subsequently determined to be ADAMS’s residence. The files included videos between approximately three minutes and twenty-three minutes long depicting juvenile females being sexually victimized. 

Agents executed a search warrant at ADAMS’s residence in July 2023 and seized electronic devices, several of which contained contain files (i.e., images and videos) depicting the sexual victimization of children and obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children. An analysis of the devices revealed at least approximately 5 images and 70 videos depicting the sexual victimization of children and over 30 images and 1,500 videos depicting obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children. Some of the depictions included children less than three years old being victimized and depictions that portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence.

ADAMS faces up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, up to a lifetime of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. He may also be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing before Judge Africk has been scheduled for June 12, 2024.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Public Integrity Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.