Corinth Man Convicted in Federal Child Exploitation Case

A federal jury in Pittsburgh has convicted a 39-year-old Corinth man on charges tied to a nationwide child exploitation conspiracy, according to reporting from the Daily Corinthian. The conviction of Justin Lee Plunk, a Corinth man convicted in federal court, came after less than two hours of jury deliberation.

What Jurors Decided

Plunk was found guilty of conspiring to distribute, and distributing, child sexual abuse material for profit. The case was heard in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, where Judge Colville presided. Sentencing is set for Jan. 26, 2027.

Each count carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

Details of the Conspiracy

According to the report, the conspiracy ran from at least 2021 to 2024 and used online platforms including Instagram, Snapchat, Telegram and Roblox. Prosecutors said conspirators recruited minors, including girls as young as 10, to produce material that was then sold in packages.

• Plunk allegedly received more than $57,000 in proceeds, including cash transfers and retail gift cards.
• Payments moved through services such as Cash App and Venmo.
• The report also states Plunk was previously convicted in Mississippi in 2016 of enticing a child for sexual purposes.

Federal Prosecutors and Investigators

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heidi Grogan of the Western District of Pennsylvania prosecuted the case with the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. The FBI investigated under Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the online exploitation of children.

“Justin Plunk exploited the most vulnerable members of our society to turn a profit,” said Tysen Duva, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. Richard Evanchec, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, said, “Our children are precious, and their safety must remain our highest priority.”

Protecting Children Online

The case is a reminder for Alcorn County families that predators use popular social and gaming apps. Parents can review privacy settings, talk with children about who they chat with online, and report suspected exploitation to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children through its CyberTipline or to local law enforcement.

Plunk has not yet been sentenced. Sentencing will be decided by the federal judge after the pre-sentence process.

Source: Daily Corinthian