FEDERAL PRISON FOR MISSISSIPPI MAN CONVICTED OF CHILD SEX ABUSE
19 Years in Federal Prison for Abuse of Child

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA- Michael D. Harvey, 20, of Seminary, Mississippi, was sentenced on August 14, 2007, to 230 months (or 19.1 years) in federal prison, by United States District Judge Myron Thompson, for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2241(c), announced U.S. Attorney Leura G. Canary of the Middle District of Alabama. In addition to his prison time, Harvey must register as a sex offender and submit to a lifetime of supervision by federal authorities. On May 24, 2007, Harvey pleaded guilty to two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor.

According to undisputed facts, on November 22 and 23, 2005, while visiting Fort Rucker, Alabama, Harvey touched a minor child with "an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify" his own sexual desire. Shortly after the abuse, the crime was reported to the Fort Rucker Army Criminal Investigation Division. Army investigators then located Harvey in Seminary, Mississippi, where he confessed to the crimes.

United States Attorney Canary stated, "According to expert testimony presented at sentencing, Michael Harvey is a diagnosed pedophile who actually abused a child. My office is committed to prosecuting child predators and help keep our children safe from harm. Harvey's sentence demonstrates that not only will child sex abusers be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, but they are also subject to supervision for the rest of their lives. Armed with tough new statutes, law enforcement is combating sex abuse while keeping a watchful eye on convicted predators."

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In May 2006, the U.S. Department of Justice launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices, 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/.

This case was investigated by the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Houston County, Mississippi, Sheriff's Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Verne H. Speirs.