Clayton man sentenced to 15 years in jail after authorities find 40K child porn images

Authorities said Jamie Brooks Franklin, 37, had at least six online accounts that he used to purchase child pornography, which he received via email and through a Dropbox account.

Authorities searched Franklin’s home on Nov. 9, 2016, at which time he acknowledged that he possessed a “couple hundred” images and videos. He also told authorities that he had begun watching child pornography five years earlier and preferred girls between the ages of eight and nine.

Franklin also acknowledged using email and the Kik Messenger app to share child pornography and using Skype to watch live sex shows, authorities said.

An investigation into Franklin’s accounts found 42,610 files containing child pornography, most of which depicted girls under the age of 12.

Franklin on Wednesday was sentenced to 15 years in jail followed by 10 years of supervised release.

“Through the collection and distribution of child pornography, the defendant victimized our children in the most degrading and base way,” U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon said. “The sentence imposed by the court is extremely appropriate and should be a warning to others who would threaten our children in this way.”

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Johnston County Sheriff's Office.